Intrigue and Illness: Humayun's Tumultuous Badakhshan Campaign and a Vizier's Violent End

After reclaiming Kabul, Emperor Humayun set his sights on consolidating his position and eventually returning to India. However, the path was fraught with challenges, not least from the shifting loyalties of his own family and officers. The campaign into Badakhshan, aimed at asserting control and dealing with the unpredictable Mirzas, would prove to be a period of intense trial, marked by illness, betrayal, and a shocking act of violence against a key official.

Setting Out for Badakhshan

In the early part of 953 Hijri (March 1546), Humayun turned his attention towards Badakhshan. The region was under the nominal control of Mirza Sulaiman, but his loyalty was questionable. Humayun's intention was to bring the territory firmly under imperial authority, perhaps reassigning parts of it to loyal followers while confirming Sulaiman in others, based on his father Babur's original grants. Despite some initial resistance from Sulaiman, Humayun pressed forward, aiming to quell any potential disaffection.

The Shadow of Illness Falls

The campaign proceeded, but fate intervened in a dramatic and unexpected way. While encamped at Shakhdan, a place between Kishm and Qil'a Zafar, Humayun fell gravely ill. His condition was so severe that for four days he lay unconscious. This sudden vulnerability sent ripples of uncertainty through the camp and beyond. Rumours spread, and the fragile loyalties of some officers began to fray. Mirza Hindal, despite having recently rejoined Humayun, showed signs of wavering, and other opportunistic figures saw a chance to advance their own interests.

A Vizier's Violent End

It was during this period of the Emperor's critical illness, amidst the confusion and political maneuvering, that a dark event unfolded. Khwaja Sultan Muhammad Rashidi, who held the important office of Vizier (Wazir), became a target. The text suggests that Khwaja Mu'azzam, Humayun's maternal uncle, along with some "vagabonds" and "worthless fools," harbored "bigoted phrases" and "faithless bigotry" against the Vizier. The exact nature of this religious or factional dispute is not fully detailed, but the outcome was brutal.

On the night of the 21st of Ramazan (November 16, 1546), just after the day's fasting had ended, Khwaja Mu'azzam and his accomplices entered the Vizier's quarters. In a horrific act, they murdered Khwaja Sultan Muhammad Rashidi, described as giving him the "water of the sword of ignorance for his final draught." This violent act, carried out under the cover of night, highlights the dangerous instability and deep-seated animosities that simmered beneath the surface, ready to erupt when the central authority, the Emperor himself, was incapacitated.

Khwaja Mu'azzam and his companions fled after the murder, fearing the Emperor's wrath. When news of the Vizier's death reached Humayun, despite his weakened state, he immediately ordered their pursuit and apprehension. A strict command was sent to Kabul, where the culprits were eventually seized and imprisoned.

Recovery and Repercussions

Slowly, Humayun began to recover at Shakhdan. His return to consciousness brought a measure of relief and stability, though the events of his illness had exposed the precariousness of his position. Upon reaching Qil'a Zafar, his health was fully restored. The murder of Khwaja Sultan Muhammad Rashidi did not go unaddressed; Khwaja Mu'azzam and his accomplices faced consequences, though the text notes that Mu'azzam was initially imprisoned rather than immediately executed, perhaps due to his relationship with the Emperor's mother.

The Badakhshan campaign, disrupted by illness and internal strife, ultimately saw Humayun reassert some control and redistribute territories among the Mirzas. However, the underlying issues of disloyalty and ambition, tragically underscored by the Vizier's murder, would continue to plague him. The experience in Badakhshan served as a harsh reminder of the constant vigilance required to maintain authority and the heavy cost of betrayal.

A Timeless Lesson

The events in Badakhshan, as chronicled in the Akbarnama, offer a stark look at the human element in historical narratives. Beyond the grand strategies and territorial gains, they reveal the impact of personal health, the corrosive nature of political intrigue, and the devastating consequences of disloyalty. The violent end of Khwaja Sultan Muhammad Rashidi stands as a tragic example of how factionalism and personal vendettas could undermine even the highest offices during times of instability. Humayun's struggle to navigate these treacherous waters, while battling illness and betrayal, highlights the immense personal burden of leadership and the enduring importance of loyalty, a lesson as relevant today as it was in the 16th century Mughal Empire." "