From Exile to Embrace: Humayun's Dramatic Return to Kabul and Reunion with Young Akbar

The year is 952 AH (1545 CE). Emperor Humayun, having navigated the treacherous deserts and found refuge in Persia, now stood poised to reclaim his lost territories. Qandahar had just fallen back into his hands, a crucial first step. But the heart of his former kingdom, Kabul, remained under the control of his half-brother, Mirza Kamran, who had proven to be a cruel and unpredictable ruler.

More importantly, within the walls of Kabul was Humayun's young son, Prince Akbar, the 'nursing of Divine light,' separated from his father since infancy. The path back to Kabul was fraught with peril, not just from Kamran's forces, but from the deep anxieties of a father longing to see his child.

The March and the Shadow of Cruelty

Leaving Qandahar, Humayun's army, bolstered by Persian aid and joined by loyalists like Mirza Hindal, began the arduous march towards Kabul. News of their approach reached Kamran, who, instead of seeking reconciliation, doubled down on his tyranny. He imprisoned loyal servants, confiscated property, and prepared for a siege, bringing all families inside the fort, including Humayun's own household.

Kamran's cruelty extended even to the innocent. He blinded loyal slaves and executed others who had served Humayun. Most horrifyingly, he had the young sons of Babus, one of Humayun's officers, brutally killed and their bodies thrown from the fort walls near the imperial batteries. He threatened similar fates for the sons of other officers, including Qaraca Khan and Musahib Beg, demanding Humayun lift the siege.

Yet, even amidst this darkness, the spirit of loyalty flickered. Qaraca Khan, faced with the threat to his son, defiantly called back to Kamran, declaring that their children's lives were a sacrifice for the Emperor, and that revenge would follow any harm.

A Divine Shield: Akbar Under Fire

As the siege intensified, Kamran committed an act of shocking inhumanity. In a desperate attempt to force Humayun to withdraw, he placed the young Prince Akbar, the 'Shahinshah' himself, on the battlements of the fort, in a position exposed to the imperial cannons and muskets. The text describes this as an act of utter folly, questioning what 'beast of prey or demon has such principles.'

But here, the narrative takes a turn towards the miraculous. The marksmen of Humayun's army, seeing the child, found their hands trembling, their arrows flying crooked, and their musket fuses refusing to light. Sumbul Khan, the master fireworker, felt his 'ardent soul grow cold' and understood the divine intervention protecting the prince. The 'miracle of fires displaying coldness' was a clear sign that Providence shielded the young Akbar.

This moment, intended by Kamran to break Humayun's will, instead became a testament to Akbar's destiny and divine protection. It was a sign, visible to all, that this child was marked for greatness, impervious to human malice.

The Gates Open: Reunion in Kabul

With schemes failing and the siege tightening, Kamran's support crumbled. Officers and soldiers began to desert, some even signaling their plight to Humayun's camp. Kamran, realizing his position was untenable, fled Kabul under the cover of night, seeking refuge elsewhere.

Humayun's army entered Kabul. The city, which had been a 'wilderness of rebellion,' was transformed into a 'pleasant home of friendliness' by his arrival. And then came the moment of reunion.

The 'Shahinshah,' the 'station of endless marvels,' was brought forth to meet his father. Humayun, seeing the 'eye-pupil of the Khilafat' after years of separation, was overcome with emotion. The text describes his heart and countenance displaying 'fresh light and glory,' asking, 'What greater blessing could there be than this, that the eyes of a Jacob should be brightened by the beauty of a Joseph?'

In thanksgiving for Akbar's safety and well-being, Humayun offered prayers and alms, his 'wounded heart' receiving 'fresh balm.' The city rejoiced, order was restored, and rewards were distributed to the loyal.

A Legacy Secured

The recapture of Kabul and the reunion with Akbar marked a pivotal moment in Humayun's tumultuous journey. It was not just a military victory, but a spiritual and familial restoration. The divine protection witnessed during the siege reinforced the belief in Akbar's destined role, a belief that would shape the future of the Mughal Empire.

This episode, preserved in the Akbarnama, reminds us that history is not merely a dry list of battles and dates, but a tapestry woven with human emotion, political intrigue, and, for those who chronicled it, the undeniable hand of Providence. The father and son, reunited against all odds, stood ready to face the future, together.