Introduction: A Struggle for the Throne

In the turbulent aftermath of Emperor Shah Jahan’s illness, the Mughal Empire was plunged into a fratricidal war of succession. Among the key contenders was Prince Shuja, the second son of Shah Jahan, who proclaimed himself emperor in Bengal while his brother Aurangzeb consolidated power in the north. The ensuing military campaign, led by Aurangzeb’s trusted general Mir Jumla, would not only decide Shuja’s fate but also reshape the political landscape of eastern India. This article explores the dramatic pursuit of Shuja across Bihar and Bengal, a campaign marked by strategic maneuvers, betrayals, and the relentless advance of imperial forces.

Historical Background: The War of Succession

The Mughal Empire in the mid-17th century was a vast, multi-ethnic state whose stability heavily relied on the strength and legitimacy of its emperor. When Shah Jahan fell seriously ill in 1657, his four sons—Dara Shikoh, Shuja, Aurangzeb, and Murad—vied for the throne, each commanding significant resources and loyalties. Shuja, serving as the governor of Bengal, had built a power base in the east and was among the first to declare himself emperor. His ambitions, however, were soon challenged by Aurangzeb, who emerged as the most ruthless and strategically adept of the brothers. After defeating Dara Shikoh and Murad, Aurangzeb turned his attention to Shuja, dispatching a formidable army under Mir Jumla to quell the rebellion in the east.

The Battle of Khajwah: A Decisive Encounter

The conflict reached a critical juncture at the Battle of Khajwah, fought on January 5, 1659, near the village of Khajwah in present-day Uttar Pradesh. Aurangzeb’s forces, though outnumbered, employed superior tactics and artillery to overwhelm Shuja’s army. The battle ended in a decisive victory for Aurangzeb, who crossed Shuja’s camp near the reservoir at Khajwah and encamped on the opposite side for the night. Recognizing the need to prevent Shuja from regrouping, Aurangzeb immediately ordered a pursuit force under the command of Prince Mahmud to chase the fleeing prince. This relentless follow-up underscored Aurangzeb’s determination to eliminate all rivals.

Mir Jumla Takes Command: The Pursuit Intensifies

To strengthen the pursuit, Mir Jumla was soon appointed joint commander-in-chief, bringing reinforcements that swelled the imperial forces to 30,000 men. Mir Jumla, a seasoned general and former vizier of Golconda, was renowned for his military acumen and loyalty to Aurangzeb. His leadership injected new energy into the campaign, as the imperial army marched eastward, determined to capture or kill Shuja. The pursuit was not merely a military operation but also a psychological war, designed to demoralize Shuja’s supporters and demonstrate Aurangzeb’s invincibility.

Shuja’s Flight: A Desperate Retreat

After his defeat at Khajwah, Shuja embarked on a frantic retreat, covering 30 miles on horseback before pausing to rest his exhausted troops and recover his spirits. Four days later, he crossed the Ganges and encamped at Jusi, opposite Allahabad. However, the governor of Allahabad shut the fort gates in his face and invited the imperial army to take control, a clear sign that Shuja’s support was crumbling. This event, occurring on January 12, 1659, marked a significant blow to his morale and resources.

The Stand at Bahadurpur: A Brief Respite

Shuja next halted at Bahadurpur, east of Benares, where he spent several days repairing the walls and trenches around his camp. He positioned seven cannons brought from Chunar on the fortifications and kept boats nearby for a possible retreat across the Ganges. Meanwhile, Muhammad Sultan, one of Aurangzeb’s officers, found himself unable to cross the wide river near Bahadurpur and moved upstream to cross at Allahabad before advancing toward Chunar via Kheri and Kuntit. This maneuvering added pressure on Shuja, who now faced threats from multiple directions.

Panic in Patna: The Noose Tightens

News that another of Aurangzeb’s officers, Fidai Khan, was marching north from Gorakhpur toward Patna alarmed Shuja, who was then in the city. On February 10, 1659, he hastily retreated to the suburban estate of Jafar Khan. There, in a move that seemed both symbolic and desperate, he married his son Zainuddin to the daughter of the retired general Zulfiqar Khan Qaramanlu, hoping to secure alliances and offset his material losses. However, this delay proved costly. By February 19, imperial forces were within 20 miles of Patna, forcing Shuja to flee to Monghyr. Muhammad Sultan arrived in Patna on February 22, just a day after Shuja’s departure.

The Defense of Monghyr: A Strategic Stronghold

Shuja remained in Monghyr from February 19 to March 6, leveraging its natural defenses. The city was situated on a narrow plain, only two miles wide, bounded by the Ganges to the west and the Kharagpur Hills to the east. The main route from Patna to Bengal ran through this plain, and if blocked, invaders would be forced to take a difficult detour through the rugged terrain of the Santal Parganas and Birbhum. The Afghans had previously built a wall and moat stretching from the hills to the river, which Shuja had reinforced during his conflict with Sulaiman Shukoh. He installed cannons on the walls and stationed troops to guard the moat, while the zamindar Bahroz was tasked with defending the Soutberi Hills and the arduous path to Rajmahal.

Mir Jumla’s Ingenious Maneuver

Upon reaching Monghyr in early March 1659, Mir Jumla recognized the strength of Shuja’s defenses and opted for cunning over direct assault. He bribed Bahroz, who then guided the imperial army through the hills and jungles of Kharagpur, bypassing Monghyr entirely and threatening Shuja’s rear. Learning of Bahroz’s defection and the unexpected appearance of enemy forces behind him, Shuja abandoned Monghyr on March 6. Mir Jumla, who had advanced to Pialapur 40 miles east of Monghyr, upon hearing of Shuja’s flight, left part of his army under Muhammad Sultan’s command and hurried west to capture Monghyr, where he appointed a governor on behalf of Aurangzeb.

The Final Stand at Sahibganj

Shuja made his last significant stop at Sahibganj from March 10 to March 24, where he built a wall from the river to the southern hills, enclosing the narrow plain through which the main road passed. Mistaking Mir Jumla’s westward movement from Pialapur as a sign that the imperial army was weary of mountain warfare and would now pursue him along the southern bank of the Ganges, Shuja hoped to make a stand at Sahibganj. His right flank was protected by the river, and his left by the extended Rajmahal Hills stretching south to Birbhum. To prevent another flanking maneuver, he entrusted Mir Isfandiyar Mamuri, the zamindar of Birbhum and Chatnagar, with guarding the southern approaches.

Betrayal in Birbhum: The End Nears

Once again, Mir Jumla’s strategy relied on subversion rather than sheer force. He bribed local zamindars to secure safe passage through Birbhum, outflanking Shuja’s defenses and rendering his position at Sahibganj untenable. Faced with encirclement and dwindling support, Shuja had no choice but to continue his flight toward Bengal, ultimately seeking refuge in Arakan, where he would meet his mysterious end. The pursuit, though not immediately culminating in Shuja’s capture, effectively ended his challenge to Aurangzeb’s authority.

Cultural and Social Impacts: Authority and Loyalty in the Mughal East

Mir Jumla’s campaign had profound implications for the social and political fabric of eastern India. The frequent defections of local zamindars highlighted the fragile nature of allegiances in the Mughal system, where loyalty could be purchased or swayed by military pressure. Aurangzeb’s victory reinforced central authority but also sowed distrust among regional elites, who now saw the emperor as both powerful and punitive. The campaign also disrupted local economies and communities, as large armies marched through the region, requisitioning supplies and causing widespread displacement.

Legacy and Modern Relevance: Lessons in Strategy and Power

The pursuit of Shuja remains a classic study in military strategy and political consolidation. Mir Jumla’s use of psychological warfare, bribery, and rapid mobility demonstrated the importance of adaptability in warfare. For Aurangzeb, the campaign solidified his control over the empire but also foreshadowed the challenges of governing a vast and diverse territory through coercion rather than consensus. In modern times, the episode offers insights into the dynamics of power, loyalty, and resistance in South Asian history, reminding us that even the most formidable empires are shaped by the ambitions and frailties of their rulers.

Conclusion: The Echoes of a Pursuit

The chase after Shuja, spanning from the fields of Khajwah to the hills of Birbhum, was more than a military campaign; it was a pivotal chapter in the history of the Mughal Empire. It underscored Aurangzeb’s ruthlessness, Mir Jumla’s brilliance, and the tragic downfall of a prince who dared to challenge the inevitable. As we reflect on this historical narrative, we are reminded of the enduring themes of power, betrayal, and the relentless march of history—themes that continue to resonate in the modern world.