Madman or Mastermind? The Curious Case of Qambar Dīwānā in the Akbarnama

The Akbarnama, Abu'l Fazl's detailed chronicle of Emperor Akbar's reign, is filled with accounts of grand battles, political intrigue, and the lives of nobles. But sometimes, it offers glimpses into the more unusual figures who emerged during the turbulent periods. One such enigmatic character is Qambar Dīwānā, whose brief moment in the spotlight after Humāyūn's return to India raises questions about ambition, madness, and the chaos of a shifting empire.

From Obscurity to Power

Abu'l Fazl introduces Qambar as a man of low origin, "one of the common men or rather of the unknown men of the camp." His rise began after Humāyūn's victory at Sirhind, which paved the way for the restoration of Mughal rule in India. Amidst the disruption and uncertainty that followed, Qambar saw an opportunity. Gathering a band of "vagabonds," he embarked on a campaign of plunder and rapine.

Booty flowed in, and Qambar, perhaps intoxicated by his sudden success, began to act with audacious independence. He seized control of key areas like Sambal and Budāon. More strikingly, he started bestowing titles like Khān and Sulṭān upon his followers and distributing jāgīrs (fiefs) – actions typically reserved for the sovereign. Abu'l Fazl notes, "Franzy took possession of him and often from madness or assumed madness and fraud, he gave up his own house to be plundered." His behaviour was erratic, marked by "irregular proceedings which were allied to madness."

Defiance and Downfall

Despite his bizarre conduct, Qambar maintained a facade of loyalty, sending petitions to Humāyūn's court and claiming obedience. However, his actions contradicted his words. When 'Alī Qulī Khān Shaibānī, a prominent Mughal officer, arrived in the region after dealing with disturbances elsewhere, he summoned Qambar. Qambar's response was defiant: "Just as you are a slave of the king, so am I one of the office-bearers of the expedition, and I have got this province by the sword."

This open challenge led to a confrontation. Qambar, after being defeated by an Afghan leader named Rukn Khān and retreating to Budāon, found himself besieged by 'Alī Qulī Khān. While the siege was ongoing, Qambar sent another petition to Humāyūn. However, before the emperor's envoy, Qāsim Makhlas, could arrive with a message of potential clemency, 'Alī Qulī Khān's men captured Qambar through a stratagem. Without waiting for royal orders, 'Alī Qulī Khān had Qambar executed, sending his head to court.

The Emperor's Regret

Humāyūn's reaction to Qambar's death is telling. Abu'l Fazl records that the "just heart of the king was grieved at this." Humāyūn rebuked 'Alī Qulī Khān, questioning why he had killed Qambar after he had offered submission. The emperor expressed a personal desire to have met Qambar, stating that if he had found "truth and rectitude" in him, he would have shown him favour and "educated him."

This suggests that Humāyūn, known for his sometimes naive generosity and belief in human potential, saw something more in Qambar than just a rebellious opportunist. Was Qambar's "madness" a genuine affliction, or a calculated performance to mask his ambitions and unpredictable nature? The text leaves this ambiguity, presenting him as a figure whose actions defied easy categorization.

A Reflection of Turbulent Times

Qambar Dīwānā's story, though brief, highlights the volatile environment of the Mughal restoration. The vacuum of power and the disruption of established order allowed individuals from unexpected backgrounds to rise rapidly. His ability to gather followers and seize territory, even through seemingly erratic means, speaks to the fluidity of allegiances and the opportunities available to the daring (or the desperate).

Humāyūn's regret also underscores the challenges of governance in such times – the difficulty of discerning true loyalty from cunning opportunism, and the potential for misjudgment, whether through excessive caution (like 'Alī Qulī Khān's swift execution) or excessive leniency (like Humāyūn's willingness to meet and potentially pardon a self-proclaimed ruler).

Ultimately, Qambar Dīwānā remains an intriguing footnote in the Akbarnama, a man whose brief, chaotic career ended abruptly, leaving behind a question mark about his true nature and what he might have become had fate (or a different Mughal officer) intervened differently.