Shaista Khan

His full name was Shaista Khan (sometimes referred to as Mirza Abu Talib). He served as Bengal’s subahdar and a commander in the Mughal army. Emperor Aurangzeb, his mother’s uncle, played an important role in his leadership. A battle between Shaista Khan and Shivaji, the king of the Marathas, caused him to relinquish power. He rose to prominence as Bengal’s governor from 1664 until 1688. 

During Shaista Khan’s reign, Dhaka and Mughal regional dominance were at their lowest point. Building large mosques and capturing control of Chittagong are only a few of his many notable achievements. During the Anglo-Mughal Wars, a British East India Company employee called Shaista Khan was also a factor.

Retaliation by the Marathas:

In 1659, Aurangzeb sent a large army to the Deccan as part of the Mughal-Bijapur treaty, making Shaista Khan( Mirza Abu Talib) the viceroy. According to the agreement, the Mughals gave the Adilshahi back the area of Ahmednagar that they had taken over. The story goes that Shivaji also killed Afzal Khan, the leader of the Adilshahi, in 1659. Shaista Khan arrived in Aurangabad in 1660 and quickly captured Shivaji’s capital, Pune. 

In the wake of his victory against the Maratha Empire, he seized control of Chakan, Kalyan, and the northern Konkan peninsula. When the Mughals expelled the Marathas from Pune and ceased interacting with the locals, they made a big error. A wedding march was permitted on April 5, 1663. Attacks on Pune are claimed to have been carried out by Shivaji and 400 men masquerading as bridesmaids. Shaista Khan’s army included Maratha labourers and combatants. Early-morning raiders broke into Nawab’s Palace and gardens.

Mirza Abu Talib had no idea what was about to happen. Guards were slaughtered as soon as the Marathas stepped into the courtyard. Shaista khan’s fingers are lost in a struggle with Shivaji, and the Marathas kill his son. The Marathas could flee Pune and the palace despite the presence of many Mughal forces stationed there. A furious Aurangzeb sent Khan to Bengalwithout offering him an audience in reaction to the city’s abrupt and bold assault.

Indian Sub-Commander In Bengal:

After Mir Jumla II died in 1663, Khan became Subedar of Bengal in his place. While serving as governor of India, he was a strong supporter of trade with nations such as Europe and South East Asia. With the help of Europe, his career took off. Aurangzeb’s determination to stay with him despite his money and status tells much about his character. In 1686, the British East India Company was prohibited from entering Bengal. 

This was the starting point of the war between the British and the Mughals in India. Prince Md Azam Shah of Bengal received it as a gift in 1678 from the Bengali government. Upon Shaista Khan’s restoration as Bengal’s Subedar in 1680, the people of Bengal were filled with pleasure. He was chosen president for the first time in 1663 and re-elected three more times between 1680 and 1688.

Taking Over The City Of Chittagong:

Mirza Abu Talib was immediately confronted by pirates from the Arakanese when he arrived in Bengal. The Bengal fleet grew to about 300 ships during his first year of rebuilding the Mughal navy. Portuguese support for Arakan’s diplomatic efforts included military assistance and supplies from the Portuguese. Sandwip, an island controlled by the Arakanese and held by the Dutch, was attacked by Shah Shaista Khan and a troop of Mughal forces. Eventually, the Mughals seized control of the island in 1665 in November, following a long and bloody battle.

A fight between the Portuguese and Arakanese gave Shaista Khan a significant advantage. Capt. Moor led the Portuguese to Bhulua, where Thandar Farhad Khan provided them asylum after setting fire to the Arakanese ships. Farhad eventually gave Shaista custody of the children. Shaista’s rapid response in extending safety and assistance to the Arakanese won the Portuguese their support in her struggle against them.

In December of that year, Shaista Khan seized Chittagong, the capital of the Arakan Empire. Additionally, 288 Firingis (Portuguese) warships were kept on reserve as auxiliary troops by the Imperial Navy. Despite the fact that Shaista Khan’s admiral was charged with providing supplies for the war, Subahdar Ibn Hussein was given leadership of the fleet by Shaista Khan himself. 

Mir Murtaza and Farhad Khan were also ordered to travel the land route. Shaista Khan’s son Buzurg Ummed Khan was given general command. Both the Portuguese and the Mughals were successful at sea. During the assault, the imperial authority seized control of the west bank of the Kashyapnadi River (also called the Kaladan River). Islamabad was formerly known as Chittagong, the capital of a faujdar of Mughal, for more than a century. Khan was able to retake Kamarupa and Cooch Beharas well.

As soon as he vanquished the Arakanese army, he ordered them to free 1000 Bengali peasants they had imprisoned.

Conclusion

Before returning to Delhi near the end of his life, Mirza Abu Talib spent several years in Dhaka. A quiet shantytown was transformed into a significant economic, political, and cultural centre because of him. It has transformed into a busy city in the following years. According to some sources, one “tak” of the Bangladeshi money, known as “chaal,” may buy up to eight “mon” of rice. To honour Shaista Khan, the Mosque of Shaista Khan is a fitting tribute. It was constructed on the property of his estate. Both Bengali and Mughal styles influence this structure’s design. Since it has historical value, it is a famous tourist destination in Bangladesh.