The Storm Gathers: Humayun's Retreat from Bengal and the Shadow of Rebellion
Published on 5/28/2024
After the triumphant conquest of Bengal, Emperor Humayun found himself in a land of plenty, a stark contrast to the challenges that had defined his early reign. The army, too, settled into comfort, perhaps too much comfort. But while the Emperor enjoyed the verdant landscapes of Gaur, the seeds of discontent and rebellion were sprouting back in Hindustan.
Whispers from the West: Sher Khan's Ascent and Hindal's Folly
News began to filter in – Sher Khan Sur, the Afghan chieftain Humayun had bypassed earlier, was consolidating power in the eastern provinces. He was not merely a local nuisance; he was building a formidable force and challenging Mughal authority in Benares and Jaunpur.
More alarmingly, reports arrived from Agra detailing the rash actions of Humayun's youngest brother, Mirza Hindal. Instigated by ambitious and disloyal courtiers, Hindal had allowed the khutba (the Friday sermon, a symbol of sovereignty) to be read in his own name in Agra. This was an open act of rebellion, a direct challenge to the Emperor's throne. The situation escalated tragically when, at the behest of the rebellious officers, Shaikh Buhlul, a respected saint and the Emperor's envoy sent to counsel Hindal, was seized and executed near the royal garden in Agra.
The Perilous March Through the Rains
Faced with this dual threat – Sher Khan in the east and a rebellious brother in the heartland – Humayun made the difficult decision to leave Bengal. Despite the onset of the monsoon, a season ill-suited for campaigning, the Emperor began the arduous march back towards Agra. The journey was fraught with difficulty; the army, softened by their time in Bengal, struggled through the mud and swollen rivers. Supplies were scarce, and the lack of unity among the remaining loyal officers added to the disarray.
Sher Khan, ever the opportunist, shadowed the returning Mughal army. He avoided pitched battles initially, instead cutting off supply lines and harassing the weary troops. He was well-informed of the disorganization within the imperial camp, a stark contrast to the disciplined force Humayun's father, Babur, had commanded.
The Disaster at Chausa
The two armies finally faced each other near the village of Bahiya, across the Karmnasa river. Despite the Mughal army's depleted state, skirmishes often went in their favor. However, Sher Khan employed cunning tactics. He feigned retreat, luring the Mughals into a false sense of security. Complacency set in, and watchfulness waned, particularly on a night when Mirza Muhammad Zaman was supposed to be on guard.
Under the cover of darkness, Sher Khan launched a surprise attack. The Mughal camp was caught completely unprepared. Chaos erupted. Humayun, realizing the gravity of the situation, attempted to rally his men, but it was too late. In the desperate scramble, he found himself separated from his horse and plunged into the Ganges river, which was swollen by the rains.
As fate would have it, a water-carrier named Nizam, using his inflated waterskin, helped the Emperor reach the safety of the riverbank. In a moment of profound gratitude and perhaps reflecting on the capricious nature of fortune, Humayun promised the water-carrier that he would grant him kingship for half a day if he ever regained his throne. This devastating defeat at the ferry of Chausa occurred on the 9th of Safar, 946 AH (June 7, 1539 CE).
A Fractured Empire and the Weight of Disunity
Humayun, accompanied by a few survivors, made his way back towards Agra. The defeat was a severe blow, not just militarily, but politically. It emboldened Sher Khan and exposed the deep divisions within the Mughal family. Humayun's attempts to unite his brothers – Kamran, Askari, and Hindal – in Lahore proved futile. Despite solemn vows and agreements, their personal ambitions and mutual distrust outweighed the need for a united front against the rising Afghan threat.
Kamran, suspicious and self-interested, eventually withdrew to Kabul, taking a significant portion of the army with him. Hindal and Yadgar Nasir Mirza, after initial attempts at cooperation, also pursued their own paths, eventually leading Humayun into the difficult terrain of Sind. This period of disunity, marked by suspicion, betrayal, and missed opportunities, was interpreted by some as a necessary trial, a process of refinement orchestrated by divine will to prepare the lineage for the eventual manifestation of a truly great ruler – the future Emperor Akbar.
The failure to present a united front after Chausa had dire consequences, ultimately leading to Humayun's temporary loss of the Indian empire. The lessons of this tumultuous period underscore the critical importance of loyalty and unity, particularly in times of crisis, a theme that would resonate throughout the history of the Mughal dynasty.