The Price of Disunity: Betrayal and the Tragic Fate of Shaikh Buhlūl
Published on 4/17/2024
Emperor Humayun, having successfully brought the fertile lands of Bengal under Mughal control, found himself in a precarious position. While his army indulged in the comforts of the conquered territory, neglecting their duties, seeds of discontent were sprouting back in Hindustan. The Akbarnama recounts a period where reliable information struggled to reach the Emperor, and a dangerous negligence permeated the ranks.
The Unraveling Begins: Hindal's Ambition
The situation escalated dramatically when Mirza Hindal, Humayun's younger brother, succumbed to the ill advice of ambitious companions. During the height of the rainy season, he abandoned his post in Bengal without permission and made his way to Agra. There, fueled by aspirations for sovereignty, Hindal began to plot, his mind clouded by the allure of the throne.
This internal strife provided a golden opportunity for Sher Khan Sur, the shrewd Afghan leader. Capitalizing on the disarray, Sher Khan swiftly seized Benares and Jaunpur, further destabilizing the empire's eastern territories. Though officers like Baba Beg Jalair put up a defense, the growing disunity within the Mughal ranks was a significant advantage for the Afghan.
Officers Choose Sides: A Treacherous Demand
A group of disaffected officers, including Khusrau Beg Kokaltash, Haji Muhammad, Zahid Beg, and Mirza Nazar, who had previously deserted from Bengal, joined Mirza Nuru-d-din Muhammad in Kanauj. They openly declared their refusal to serve Humayun any longer. Their condition for supporting Hindal was stark: he must declare himself sovereign and have the khutba read in his name. The khutba, the sermon delivered in mosques, traditionally included the name of the ruling monarch, making its recitation a public declaration of sovereignty.
Concerned by the news of Hindal's actions and the officers' demands, Humayun dispatched Shaikh Buhlūl, a highly respected saint and trusted advisor, from Bengal to Agra. The Shaikh's mission was to use his wisdom and influence to guide Hindal back to loyalty and unity, essential for confronting Sher Khan.
A Saint's Sacrifice: The Execution of Shaikh Buhlūl
Shaikh Buhlūl arrived in Agra and initially seemed to sway Hindal towards reconciliation. Plans were even made for equipping an army. However, the rebellious officers, fearing the Shaikh would dismantle their plot, pressed Hindal for a definitive sign of his commitment to their cause. They demanded the public execution of Shaikh Buhlūl, the king's envoy, as proof that Hindal had irrevocably broken with Humayun.
Tragically, Mirza Hindal, swayed by the wicked counsel and his own ambition, ratified this abhorrent proposal. Mirza Nuru-d-din Muhammad seized the Shaikh at Hindal's command and, taking him across the river, had him beheaded in a sandy spot near the Royal Garden. This shocking act of betrayal, the murder of a respected holy man and the Emperor's personal envoy, solidified the officers' allegiance to Hindal.
Immediately following the execution, the khutba was read in Mirza Hindal's name, a clear declaration of rebellion. The Akbarnama recounts the deep sorrow of Hindal's mother, Dildar Aghaca Begam, who, seeing her son's actions, wore blue, the color of mourning, for his lost path. Even Muhammad Bakhshi, another officer, confronted Hindal, questioning his actions.
The Weight of Disloyalty
This episode highlights the severe consequences of internal disunity and the corrosive effect of ambition within the Mughal ruling family and its nobility. The execution of Shaikh Buhlūl was not merely a political murder; it was a profound violation of trust and a dark stain on the rebellion. It demonstrated the lengths to which some were willing to go for power, disregarding loyalty, familial ties, and even religious sanctity.
The betrayal by his officers and brother left Humayun in a significantly weakened position, facing a formidable external enemy in Sher Khan while grappling with rebellion from within his own ranks. The events surrounding Shaikh Buhlūl's tragic end serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of political maneuvering and the fragility of empires built on shifting loyalties.