Get Complete Information on Main Victories and Struggle of Humayun

Expedition of Kalinjar (1531) :

In 1531, Humayun besieged the fort of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand. It was believed that the Raja was “probably in the interest of the Afghans.” The siege of the fort lasted for many months and Humayun was forced to make peace and accept a huge indemnity from the Raja.

It is stated that The Kalinjar Expedition was a folly on the part of Humayun. Humayun was not able to defeat the Raja and consequently failed in his mission. The Raja could have been won over if Humayun had handled the situation tactfully.

Battle of Dourah (1532) :

One of the reason why Humayun had to give up the siege of Kalinjar was that he had to meet the danger from the Afghans. Under the Leadership of Mahmood Lodi, The Afghans of Bihar were marching on to the province of Jaunpur. They had advanced as far as the Barabanki District. Humayun defeated the Afghans in the Battle of Dourah or Dadrah in August 1532 A.D.

Siege of Chunar (1532) :

After defeating the Afghans Leader Mahmood Lodi, Humayun besieged the fort of Chunar under Sher Khan (Sher Shah Suri). The siege lasted from September to December 1532. But instead of conquering it, Humayun “accepted a purely perfunctory submission.” It was a mistake on the part of Humayun to do so. He ought to have crushed the power of Sher Khan who was undoubtedly the rising star. He had to pay heavily for his mistake later on.

After his return from Chunar, Humayun wasted a year and a half in feasts and festivities in Agra and Delhi. We are told that he honoured the nobles with robes of honour and Arab horses. 1,200 persons received robes, 2,000 were given outer garments of gold, brocade and gilt buttons.

Humayun also spent money on building a big citadel at Delhi called Din Panah. This Humayun did in spite of the fact that he was getting very disgusting news from Gujarat where Bahadur Shah was increasing his power every day. According to Prof. Rushbrook Williams, “There is a repetition of the old story of the financial breakdown in the time of Humayun, accompanied by revolution, intrigue and dethronement of a dynasty.

Wars with Bahadur Shah (1535-36) :

War with Bahadur Shah was inevitable. Bahadur Shah had annexed Malwa in 1531, captured the fort of Raisin in 1532 and defeated the Sisodia Chief of Chittor in 1533. He was an ambitious man and aimed at becoming the Emperor of India himself. He had helped Tatar Khan, son of Alam Khan Lodi, in raising a strong army and capturing Bayana which was a Mughal possession. He offended Humayun by giving shelter to Mohammad Zaman Mirza who had escaped from Humayun. He also refused to hand him over to Humayun even when the latter requested him to do so. No wonder, Humayun made up his mind to proceed personally against Bahadur Shah.

At that time, Bahadur Shah was besieging the fort of Chittor. Rani Karnawati, mother of the Raja, appealed to Humayun for help. She also sent a Rakhi to him implying thereby that she considered him to be a brother and asking for Humayun’s help. It is true that Humayun accepted the Rakhi and proceeded towards Chittor but later on he changed his mind on the way.

Bahadur Shah was confident that true to the traditions of Islam, Humayun would not attack him when he was engaged in war with a non-Muslim, and he was right in his belief. So long as the siege of Chittor continued Humayun did not raise his finger against Bahadur Shah. After the fall of Chittor, Humayun started his operations against Bahadur Shah. The latter was literally besieged in his camp and his supplies ran short. He was faced with the prospect of starvation and he ran away in April 1535 and took shelter in the Fort of Mandu.

Critics point out that it was not statesmanship on the part of Humayun to have kept quiet when Bahadur Shah was busy against the Raja of Chittor. He should have attacked Bahadur Shah and crushed him. Had he attacked at once, he would have succeeded in inflicting a decisive blow on Bahadur Shah. Moreover, by doing so, he would have won over the Rajputs to his own side. His chivalry towards a Muslim enemy may be praiseworthy but undoubtedly his policy was wrong.

After the flight of Bahadur Shah, Humayun besieged the fort of Mandu and captured it. Bahadur Shah ran to Champanir which was also besieged and unltimately conquered by Humayun. Ahmedabad and Cambay were also captured by Humayun. Bahadur Shah took refuge in the Island of Diu and by August, 1535 the conquest of Central Gujarat was completed by Humayun.

It is true that the capture of Mandu and Champanir were great achievement, but unfortunately Humayun made no arrangement to consolidate his position. He wasted a lot of time in merry­making, and squandered away the treasure that had fallen into his hands at Champanir. It was the chaotic state of administrative affairs in Gujarat that helped Bahadur Shah to recover is position.

The latter sent Imad-ul-Mulk to Ahmedabad to collect revenues and the latter succeeded in doing so and raising a powerful army. Humayun recaptured Ahmedabad and appointed his Brother Askari as Governor of Gujarat. Unfortunately, Askari mismanaged the affairs of Gujarat and Bahadur Shah was again able to get back a large number of towns. The local chiefs also helped Bahadur Shah and the result was that Gujarat was completely lost in 1536. Malwa was also lost to the Mughals. “One year had seen the rapid conquest of the two great provinces; the next saw them as quickly lost.”