The Mirage of Refuge: Humayun's Bitter Siege of Bhakkar and Shah Husain's Deceit
Published on 4/17/2025
Following the devastating defeat at Kanauj, Emperor Humayun found himself adrift, his once-vast empire crumbling around him. With brothers proving unreliable and the Afghan resurgence under Sher Khan relentless, he turned his gaze towards the distant territory of Sind, hoping to find a haven and perhaps a base from which to rebuild.
Arrival at the Gates of Bhakkar
Guided by endurance and relying on divine providence, Humayun and his dwindling retinue traversed the harsh desert. Their journey was fraught with hardship – lack of water, scarcity of supplies, and the constant threat of pursuit. At last, they reached the territory of Bhakkar, a region controlled by Sultan Mahmud, a subordinate of the powerful Shah Husain Arghun, the ruler of Sind.
Humayun's arrival at Luhri, situated on the riverbank opposite the formidable fort of Bhakkar, must have felt like a moment of respite. He established his camp in a pleasant garden, hoping for a warm welcome and the resources needed to replenish his weary army.
The Sultan's Refusal and Shah Husain's Calculated Response
A mandate was sent to Sultan Mahmud, requesting him to pay homage and surrender the fort. However, Sultan Mahmud, bound by loyalty (or perhaps fear) to his master, replied that he could not comply without Shah Husain's explicit permission. This initial refusal, while perhaps understandable from a subordinate's perspective, hinted at the complexities to come.
Humayun, ever the magnanimous ruler, accepted the excuse and dispatched two confidential servants, Amir Tahir Sadr and Mir Samandar, to Shah Husain in Tatta. They carried promises of favour and sought to secure his allegiance and assistance.
Shah Husain received the envoys with outward respect. He sent back a messenger, Shaikh Mirak, a revered figure among the Arghuns, along with a suitable present. His message was couched in seemingly friendly terms: Bhakkar, he claimed, yielded little, but the district of Hajkan was rich and populous. He suggested Humayun move there, promising comfort for the army and his own eventual service. He even spoke of assisting Humayun in reconquering Gujarat and, eventually, India. It was a display of "false though fair-seeming expressions," a masterclass in political deceit.
The Unfolding Treachery
Humayun, perhaps desperate for a positive sign or swayed by the apparent sincerity, accepted this offer. He appointed Mirza Hindal to the territory of Patar and prepared to move. But Shah Husain's true intentions soon became clear. While pretending friendship, he began to lay waste to the land, removing grain and hindering supplies to Humayun's camp. His aim was not to assist, but to weaken and isolate the imperial army.
Realizing the depth of the deception, Humayun had no choice but to lay siege to the fort of Bhakkar. What began as a search for refuge transformed into a grueling confrontation. The fort was strong, the defenders resolute, and Shah Husain's scorched-earth tactics meant Humayun's army faced severe scarcity. The siege dragged on for months, marked by immense hardship for the imperial forces.
Hardship and Betrayal
The text highlights the stark contrast between Shah Husain's initial welcoming words and his subsequent actions. His "sordid" behaviour, converting duties into disobediences, left Humayun and his loyal followers in a desperate situation. The siege of Bhakkar became a painful chapter in Humayun's exile, a testament to the political maneuvering and lack of solidarity he faced even from those who should have offered support.
This period of trial, though born of betrayal, also served as a crucible for Humayun and his remaining loyalists. It forced them to confront extreme adversity, testing their resilience and faith. While the immediate outcome was prolonged suffering, the lessons learned in the harsh landscape of Sind would prove invaluable in the long and arduous path back to power.
Shah Husain's treachery at Bhakkar stands as a stark reminder that in the turbulent world of 16th-century politics, promises could be as fleeting as the desert wind, and the search for a safe haven could lead to unexpected and bitter sieges.