The Serpent in the Garden: Mirza Kamran's Tumultuous Pursuit of Power in the Akbarnama

The Akbarnama, Abu'l Fazl's monumental history of Emperor Akbar's reign, is more than just a chronicle of victories and administration. It's a tapestry woven with the threads of loyalty, ambition, and the often-brutal realities of power within the Mughal royal family. Few figures embody this drama quite like Mirza Kamran, Emperor Humayun's half-brother. His story, as told through Abu'l Fazl's eyes, is a stark tale of relentless ambition that ultimately led to his tragic downfall.

A Kingdom Divided: Early Ambition

From the outset, Kamran held significant power, controlling the crucial territories of Kabul and Qandahar. While Humayun struggled to consolidate his hold on India after Babur's death, Kamran often acted with a degree of independence that bordered on defiance. The text highlights instances of his early treachery, such as his actions in Badakhshan and his willingness to exploit Humayun's difficulties for his own gain. This wasn't just political maneuvering; Abu'l Fazl portrays it as a deep-seated perversity, a "hideousness of discord" that overshadowed any potential for "concord."

The Bitter Taste of Victory: Qibcaq and the Capture of Kabul

The conflict between the brothers escalated dramatically. The Akbarnama recounts the devastating battle of Qibcaq, where Kamran inflicted a significant defeat on Humayun. This victory wasn't solely Kamran's doing; it was facilitated by the disloyalty of several key officers, including Qaraca Khan and Musahib Beg, whom Abu'l Fazl scathingly describes as "white without and black within." These men, driven by self-interest, actively conspired with Kamran, providing him with intelligence and undermining Humayun's efforts. Humayun's subsequent retreat was a moment of profound vulnerability, forcing him to seek refuge and regroup.

Kamran capitalized on this, re-taking Kabul and, most significantly, capturing the young Prince Akbar. Holding the heir apparent was a powerful move, intended to legitimize his usurpation and pressure Humayun. The text details Kamran's brief period of ascendancy in Kabul, where he rewarded his treacherous followers with fiefs, while imprisoning loyal servants like Khwaja Sulaiman 'Ali, the diwan.

The Inevitable Slide: Struggles and Flight

Kamran's hold on power, however, remained precarious. His actions alienated many, and he faced opposition not only from Humayun but also from other brothers like Hindal and cousins like Sulaiman Mirza. The narrative follows his desperate attempts to maintain control, engaging in skirmishes and sieges against his relatives. His reliance on Afghan tribes and disloyal Mughal factions proved unstable. Defeated repeatedly, he was forced into a nomadic existence, eventually fleeing towards India in a desperate bid to find new allies.

His journey to India was marked by indignity. He sought aid from Salim Khan Sur, the Afghan ruler who had driven Humayun out. Abu'l Fazl notes the irony of Kamran seeking help from his family's enemy against his own brother. Salim Khan's reception of Kamran was humiliating, treating him with disdain. Kamran's subsequent escape from Salim Khan's surveillance and his eventual surrender to Sultan Adam Gakkar, a loyal supporter of the Mughals, marked the end of his flight.

The Final Reckoning: Blinding and Exile

The decision of what to do with Kamran was fraught. Humayun, known for his clemency, initially hesitated, despite Kamran's repeated betrayals and the pleas of his loyal officers, who presented legal opinions demanding severe punishment. Abu'l Fazl highlights Humayun's internal struggle, his "world of compassion and gentleness" warring with the demands of "foresight and firmness" for the "general welfare."

Ultimately, the consensus among the loyalists prevailed. Kamran was blinded. The text provides a stark, unsentimental account of this event, noting the use of the lancet and Kamran's initial resistance turning to submission upon hearing the order was not for death. The loyal servants, 'Ali Dost Barbegi and Saiyid Muhammad Pakna, carried out the sentence. Humayun visited his blinded brother, expressing regret, to which Kamran responded with verses that, while outwardly submissive, hinted at lingering bitterness.

Kamran was then allowed to go on pilgrimage to Mecca, where he eventually died in 964 AH (1557 CE). Abu'l Fazl views his fate as a just retribution for his ingratitude and wickedness, a clear illustration of how harmful thoughts and actions against a divinely protected dominion lead to eternal punishment.

A Cautionary Tale

Mirza Kamran's story in the Akbarnama serves as a powerful, albeit biased, account of the perils of unchecked ambition and disloyalty within a ruling dynasty. It underscores the value placed on fidelity in the Mughal court and the severe consequences for those who repeatedly transgressed the bonds of kinship and service. His fall paved the way for Humayun's eventual re-establishment in India and, crucially, for the secure accession of Akbar, whose reign would usher in a new era for the empire." "