How Died Sher Afgan, Husband of Nur Jahan
Sher Afgan is known in history as the first husband of Mughal queen Nur Jahan. In 1611, four years after Sher Afgan's death, Jahangir married Nur Jahan. In this post, we will discuss the early life of Sher Afgan and the circumstances that led to his death.
Ali Quli Beg Istajlu initially was in the service of Shah Ismael II of Persia, as a table servant, but fled the country after the Shah's death and sought refuge in Kandahar. In Multan, he met with Abdu-r-Rahim Khan Khanan, who was en route to march against Thatta. At Khan Khanan's recommendation, Ali Quli was enlisted in the imperial service.
Ali Quli showed great skill and valuable support during the conquest of Thatta. Upon Khan Khanan's return to Akbar in Lahore, Ali Quli was rewarded with a prestigious position in the court.
In 1599, Akbar arranged the marriage of Ali Quli to Mihr-un-nissa Khanum (future Nur Jahan), the daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg (future Itimad-ud-daula), the Diwan-i-Bayutat at the time.
When prince Salim (future Jahangir) was sent by Akbar on a campaign against the Rana of Mewar, Ali Quli was appointed to accompany him. In recognition of his excellent service, Salim honored him the title of Sher Afgan, which means "tiger-throwing." Although Sher Afgan initially supported Salim during his revolt, he eventually left him and returned to Akbar. But when Jahangir became king (r: 1605-1627), he pardoned Sher Afgan and granted him the jagir of Burdwan (now Bardhaman) in Bengal.
During the second year of his reign, Jahangir learned that Sher Afgan was aiding Afghan rebels in Bengal, sparking rebellion. Jahangir directed his foster-brother, Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka, the governor of Bengal, to offer Sher Afgan the chance to retain his jagir if he remained loyal, but if not, he should be brought to court. If Sher Afgan made any excuses for not coming, he should be punished.
In his Memoirs, Jahangir mentioned, "From there I was informed that it was not proper to station the likes of such troublemakers in that province, so I ordered Qutb-ud-din Khan to send him to court. If he had any vain notions, he would pay the price. The Khan knew him well enough, and as soon as the order arrived he took the men he had with him and set out at a gallop for Burdwan. No sooner was Ali Quli informed of Qutb-ud-din Khan's arrival than he went out by himself with two grooms to greet Qutb-ud-din Khan. After his arrival in the midst of the troop, the Khan's men pulled him off his horse. Since Ali Quli's suspicions had been aroused by the manner of Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka's arrival, he said in order to catch him off guard, "What kind of leadership is this?" The Khan had his men pull back, and he alone joined Ali Quli so that he could relate the contents of the order to him.
Seizing the opportunity, Ali Quli immediately drew his sword and wounded him two or three times with it. Since Amba Khan Kashmiri had a great affection and regard for the Khan, he raced forward in loyalty and manliness and struck Ali Quli a hard blow to the head, but the vicious fellow stuck a poniard into Amba Khan, fatally wounding him. When the men saw Qutb-ud-din Khan in this situation, they fell on Ali Quli, chopped him to pieces, and dispatched him to hell. Amba Khan died right there, and Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka passed away to God's mercy in his own quarters four watches later." This event occurred on May 30, 1607.
According to Riyaz-us-Salatin, Qutb-ud-din was unhappy with Sher Afgan's actions upon arriving in Bengal. Qutb-ud-din summoned Sher Afgan, but he made excuses. When Jahangir heard about this, he ordered Qutb-ud-din to present Sher Afgan before the court. Qutb-ud-din then marched to Burdwan.
Following is the account of Sher Agan's death from Baharistan-i-Shahi.
On the eve of Jahangir's accession to the throne, Aiba Khan was ordered by the emperor to go to his jagir at Burdwan. Sher Afgan, a former jagirdar resided in that area. Qutb-ud-din Khan, the governor of Bengal, had a disagreement with and was jealous of Sher Afgan. He reported to Jahangir that all the people in Bengal had submitted to the emperor except for Sher Afgan. Consequently, the emperor commanded that Sher Afgan's head be severed from his body and brought to the imperial court.
Qutb-ud-din, accompanied by 2000 soldiers, went to confront Sher Afgan. In spite of suspecting danger to his life, Sher Afgan came out of his fort with 70-80 horsemen to formally receive the governor. As they approached, Sher Afgan noticed the suspicious movements of Qutb-ud-din's troops and realized they intended to kill him.
The mahout of Qutb-ud-din maneuvered his elephant in a way that caused Sher Afgan's horse to panic and become uncontrollable. He addressed Qutb-ud-din, "You commander of the Khans, what do you mean by this move?" Qutb-ud-din evaded a direct reply. Sher Afgan's companions spoke to him reproachfully in Turkish, "If there is anything of manliness and bravery left in you, what other occasion would you seek to put these to test?"
Upon hearing these words, Qutb-ud-din gathered his heroic strength and attacked Sher Afgan. However, with the first strike of his sword, Sher Afgan cut off Qutb-ud-din's arm. The next strike pierced his belly, ultimately leading to Qutb-ud-din's death.
The next man to step forward to fight Sher Afgan was Haidar Malik Chadura. He too was wounded and tried to flee for his life. Aiba Khan, a key officer of Qutb-ud-din, witnessing the unfolding events, spurred his horse towards the scene. The two warriors dismounted and engaged in a fierce duel. Aiba Khan inflicted a blow on Sher Afgan's face. Sher Afgan retaliated by plunging his sword deep into Aiba Khan's abdomen, leading to his immediate death. Sher Afgan also succumbed to his injuries at the same time.
Haidar Malik's "Tarikh-i-Kashmir" provides additional insights regarding the Sher Afgan incident, attributing the murder of Sher Afgan to Yusuf Khan. Malik says that as Sher Afgan had rebelled, his faujdari and jagir of Burdwan were transferred to Yusuf Khan Chak. When Jahangir ordered Qutb-ud-din to arrest Sher Afgan, Yusuf Khan and Aiba Khan accompanied him. When they reached Mangalkot, near Burdwan, Sher Afgan came to meet Qutb-ud-din and questioned if there was a plot against him. Sher Afgan then swiftly drew his sword to attack the governor. However, the first blow landed on Haidar Malik, injuring him. Qutb-ud-din was then fatally wounded. When Sher Afgan tried to escape, Aiba Khan confronted him. In retaliation, Sher Afgan struck Aiba Khan and killed him. Yusuf Khan immediately advanced and delivered a fatal blow to Sher Afgan, ultimately killing him.
There are some exaggerations in Haidar Malik's account. All other sources state that the first blow fell on Qutb-ud-din Khan and it was Aiba Khan who killed Sher Afgan. Yusuf Khan Chak was the last independent ruler of Kashmir before Akbar annexed it to the Mughal empire. Haidar Malik served him for twenty four years. According to Mohibbul Hasan, Haidar Malik's goal was to glorify his patron Yusuf Khan by portraying him as the central figure in the assassination of Sher Afgan.
Shaikh Ghias-ud-din, Qutb-ud-din's nephew, and Kishwar Khan, his son, dismembered Sher Afgan's body and sent his head to Jahangir. Jahangir cursed Sher Afgan, saying "the disgraceful wretch's place will forever be in hell."
Interestingly, Qutb-ud-din Khan and Sher Afgan are buried side by side in identical graves within the tomb complex of Bahram Saqqa (Pir Bahram) at Bardhaman.
Following Sher Afgan's assassination, his widow Mihr-un-nissa and her daughter Ladli Begum were brought to Jahangir's court in Agra. Mihr-un-nissa was appointed as one of the attendants of Jahangir's mother or step mother. Her fortune began to shine, when during the New Year's (Nowruz) festival in the 6th year of Jahangir's reign, he chanced to meet her and was enchanted by her beauty. Their marriage was solemnized in May 1611, approximately four years after Sher Afgan's death.
Notes:
Qutb-ud-din Khan replaced Raja Man Singh as governor of Bengal in August 1606.
Jahangir gave the title of Itimad-ud-daula to Mirza Ghias Beg in 1605.
Reference:
The Memoirs of Emperor Jahangir written by Himself (Wheeler M. Thackston)
History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians (Elliot & Dowson)
Baharistan-i Shahi, A Chronicle of Medieval Kashmir (K. N. Pandit)
A Note on the Assassination of Sher Afgan By Mohibbul Hasan
Ali Quli Beg Istajlu initially was in the service of Shah Ismael II of Persia, as a table servant, but fled the country after the Shah's death and sought refuge in Kandahar. In Multan, he met with Abdu-r-Rahim Khan Khanan, who was en route to march against Thatta. At Khan Khanan's recommendation, Ali Quli was enlisted in the imperial service.
Ali Quli showed great skill and valuable support during the conquest of Thatta. Upon Khan Khanan's return to Akbar in Lahore, Ali Quli was rewarded with a prestigious position in the court.
In 1599, Akbar arranged the marriage of Ali Quli to Mihr-un-nissa Khanum (future Nur Jahan), the daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg (future Itimad-ud-daula), the Diwan-i-Bayutat at the time.
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| Gateway to the tombs of Qutb-ud-din Khan and Sher Afgan within the tomb complex of Bahram Saqqa at Bardhaman, West Bengal |
When prince Salim (future Jahangir) was sent by Akbar on a campaign against the Rana of Mewar, Ali Quli was appointed to accompany him. In recognition of his excellent service, Salim honored him the title of Sher Afgan, which means "tiger-throwing." Although Sher Afgan initially supported Salim during his revolt, he eventually left him and returned to Akbar. But when Jahangir became king (r: 1605-1627), he pardoned Sher Afgan and granted him the jagir of Burdwan (now Bardhaman) in Bengal.
During the second year of his reign, Jahangir learned that Sher Afgan was aiding Afghan rebels in Bengal, sparking rebellion. Jahangir directed his foster-brother, Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka, the governor of Bengal, to offer Sher Afgan the chance to retain his jagir if he remained loyal, but if not, he should be brought to court. If Sher Afgan made any excuses for not coming, he should be punished.
In his Memoirs, Jahangir mentioned, "From there I was informed that it was not proper to station the likes of such troublemakers in that province, so I ordered Qutb-ud-din Khan to send him to court. If he had any vain notions, he would pay the price. The Khan knew him well enough, and as soon as the order arrived he took the men he had with him and set out at a gallop for Burdwan. No sooner was Ali Quli informed of Qutb-ud-din Khan's arrival than he went out by himself with two grooms to greet Qutb-ud-din Khan. After his arrival in the midst of the troop, the Khan's men pulled him off his horse. Since Ali Quli's suspicions had been aroused by the manner of Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka's arrival, he said in order to catch him off guard, "What kind of leadership is this?" The Khan had his men pull back, and he alone joined Ali Quli so that he could relate the contents of the order to him.
Seizing the opportunity, Ali Quli immediately drew his sword and wounded him two or three times with it. Since Amba Khan Kashmiri had a great affection and regard for the Khan, he raced forward in loyalty and manliness and struck Ali Quli a hard blow to the head, but the vicious fellow stuck a poniard into Amba Khan, fatally wounding him. When the men saw Qutb-ud-din Khan in this situation, they fell on Ali Quli, chopped him to pieces, and dispatched him to hell. Amba Khan died right there, and Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka passed away to God's mercy in his own quarters four watches later." This event occurred on May 30, 1607.
According to Riyaz-us-Salatin, Qutb-ud-din was unhappy with Sher Afgan's actions upon arriving in Bengal. Qutb-ud-din summoned Sher Afgan, but he made excuses. When Jahangir heard about this, he ordered Qutb-ud-din to present Sher Afgan before the court. Qutb-ud-din then marched to Burdwan.
Following is the account of Sher Agan's death from Baharistan-i-Shahi.
On the eve of Jahangir's accession to the throne, Aiba Khan was ordered by the emperor to go to his jagir at Burdwan. Sher Afgan, a former jagirdar resided in that area. Qutb-ud-din Khan, the governor of Bengal, had a disagreement with and was jealous of Sher Afgan. He reported to Jahangir that all the people in Bengal had submitted to the emperor except for Sher Afgan. Consequently, the emperor commanded that Sher Afgan's head be severed from his body and brought to the imperial court.
Qutb-ud-din, accompanied by 2000 soldiers, went to confront Sher Afgan. In spite of suspecting danger to his life, Sher Afgan came out of his fort with 70-80 horsemen to formally receive the governor. As they approached, Sher Afgan noticed the suspicious movements of Qutb-ud-din's troops and realized they intended to kill him.
The mahout of Qutb-ud-din maneuvered his elephant in a way that caused Sher Afgan's horse to panic and become uncontrollable. He addressed Qutb-ud-din, "You commander of the Khans, what do you mean by this move?" Qutb-ud-din evaded a direct reply. Sher Afgan's companions spoke to him reproachfully in Turkish, "If there is anything of manliness and bravery left in you, what other occasion would you seek to put these to test?"
Upon hearing these words, Qutb-ud-din gathered his heroic strength and attacked Sher Afgan. However, with the first strike of his sword, Sher Afgan cut off Qutb-ud-din's arm. The next strike pierced his belly, ultimately leading to Qutb-ud-din's death.
The next man to step forward to fight Sher Afgan was Haidar Malik Chadura. He too was wounded and tried to flee for his life. Aiba Khan, a key officer of Qutb-ud-din, witnessing the unfolding events, spurred his horse towards the scene. The two warriors dismounted and engaged in a fierce duel. Aiba Khan inflicted a blow on Sher Afgan's face. Sher Afgan retaliated by plunging his sword deep into Aiba Khan's abdomen, leading to his immediate death. Sher Afgan also succumbed to his injuries at the same time.
Haidar Malik's "Tarikh-i-Kashmir" provides additional insights regarding the Sher Afgan incident, attributing the murder of Sher Afgan to Yusuf Khan. Malik says that as Sher Afgan had rebelled, his faujdari and jagir of Burdwan were transferred to Yusuf Khan Chak. When Jahangir ordered Qutb-ud-din to arrest Sher Afgan, Yusuf Khan and Aiba Khan accompanied him. When they reached Mangalkot, near Burdwan, Sher Afgan came to meet Qutb-ud-din and questioned if there was a plot against him. Sher Afgan then swiftly drew his sword to attack the governor. However, the first blow landed on Haidar Malik, injuring him. Qutb-ud-din was then fatally wounded. When Sher Afgan tried to escape, Aiba Khan confronted him. In retaliation, Sher Afgan struck Aiba Khan and killed him. Yusuf Khan immediately advanced and delivered a fatal blow to Sher Afgan, ultimately killing him.
There are some exaggerations in Haidar Malik's account. All other sources state that the first blow fell on Qutb-ud-din Khan and it was Aiba Khan who killed Sher Afgan. Yusuf Khan Chak was the last independent ruler of Kashmir before Akbar annexed it to the Mughal empire. Haidar Malik served him for twenty four years. According to Mohibbul Hasan, Haidar Malik's goal was to glorify his patron Yusuf Khan by portraying him as the central figure in the assassination of Sher Afgan.
Shaikh Ghias-ud-din, Qutb-ud-din's nephew, and Kishwar Khan, his son, dismembered Sher Afgan's body and sent his head to Jahangir. Jahangir cursed Sher Afgan, saying "the disgraceful wretch's place will forever be in hell."
Interestingly, Qutb-ud-din Khan and Sher Afgan are buried side by side in identical graves within the tomb complex of Bahram Saqqa (Pir Bahram) at Bardhaman.
Following Sher Afgan's assassination, his widow Mihr-un-nissa and her daughter Ladli Begum were brought to Jahangir's court in Agra. Mihr-un-nissa was appointed as one of the attendants of Jahangir's mother or step mother. Her fortune began to shine, when during the New Year's (Nowruz) festival in the 6th year of Jahangir's reign, he chanced to meet her and was enchanted by her beauty. Their marriage was solemnized in May 1611, approximately four years after Sher Afgan's death.
Notes:
Qutb-ud-din Khan replaced Raja Man Singh as governor of Bengal in August 1606.
Jahangir gave the title of Itimad-ud-daula to Mirza Ghias Beg in 1605.
Reference:
The Memoirs of Emperor Jahangir written by Himself (Wheeler M. Thackston)
History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians (Elliot & Dowson)
Baharistan-i Shahi, A Chronicle of Medieval Kashmir (K. N. Pandit)
A Note on the Assassination of Sher Afgan By Mohibbul Hasan
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