The Mughal Empire - Humayun The Mughal Empire - Humayu

After the death of his father Babur, Humayun succeeded to the throne of India, at the age of twenty-three. His succession was not a smooth one, he faced many hostile forces including some members of the royal family. The prevailing system of the time did not have the concept of the eldest son succeeding his father, and hence it was not uncommon to see brothers fighting amongst one another to capture the throne. Humayun's court was also full of nobles who were vigorously planning and plotting against him. His army was full of diverse nationalities with conflicting interests. Many Indian kings like the Rajputs, although defeated still remained a threat to the empire. In such times the need of the hour was for a ruler who was a capable military commander, possessed diplomatic skills and had political wisdom. Sadly Humayun lacked these qualities, and perhaps proved to be his own worst enemy. Humayun was an intellectual man, interested in culture etc. and was devoid of the qualities that would make him a strong emperor like his
father. Humayun lacked the capability to fight effective battles, after obtaining an early victory he would simply relax, which allowed the enemy time to regroup and launch a counterattack. Another fatal failing in Humayun was that he was too lenient with his enemies. His attitude towards his scheming brothers was conciliatory and he appointed them as heads of important Mughal provinces. Such a step put them in control of vital resources the new Mughal empire required. For instance his brother Kamran controlled regions near and beyond the Indus, which were the primary recruiting grounds for the Mughal army. This was a foolish mistake, because in order to preserve the empire Humayun he required a large and well maintained army. Humayun launched a series of attacks during his early years in power, but most of the areas he won over were lost soon. Meanwhile the ousted Afghans from the Sultanate era had not reconciled to the new Mughal rule, and began rallying around Sher Shah. Sher Shah took advantage of Humayun's military ineptness and launched a series of strategically timed attacks which completely defeated Humayun. Humayun's brothers did not unite with him and hence Sher Shah was able to oust the Mughal power in India and set up a brief reign. The defeated Humayun wandered around for years looking for a place that would give him shelter and help him prepare an attack. No king was willing to give him asylum, even Shaikh Ali Ambar Jani whose daughter Hamida Banu Begam Humayun had married. His son Akbar was born while Humayun was still wandering around. Humayun's brothers did not assist him in these difficult times. After the death of Sher Shah, his successors were weak and this encouraged Humayun to explore the possibility of reclaiming his empire. His search for asylum and military support finally ended when a Persian king Shah Tahmasp agreed to shelter him and provide him assistance. He provided him with a force of 14,000 in return for certain concessions and Humayun invaded India. Humayun was able to successfully defeat his brother Kamran at the frontiers and this time he did not show any leniency, his brother was imprisoned, blinded and deported. His brothers attempted to attack him and were also defeated. Humayun went on to Delhi where he defeated the rulers there and once again re- established his empire. Humayun was able to undo his own mistakes, and managed to launch a successful campaign to restore the Mughal power in India. Humayun had overcome his past failings but unfortunately did not live much longer, he died in 1556 after accidentally falling down the steps of his library. The irony of Humayun's life is that while his name means fortunate, he suffered one misfortune after another.

After the death of his father Babur, Humayun succeeded to the throne of India, at the age of twenty-three. His succession was not a smooth one, he faced many hostile forces including some members of the royal family. The prevailing system of the time did not have the concept of the eldest son succeeding his father, and hence it was not uncommon to see brothers fighting amongst one another to capture the throne. Humayun's court was also full of nobles who were vigorously planning and plotting against him. His army was full of diverse nationalities with conflicting interests. Many Indian kings like the Rajputs, although defeated still remained a threat to the empire. In such times the need of the hour was for a ruler who was a capable military commander, possessed diplomatic skills and had political wisdom. Sadly Humayun lacked these qualities, and perhaps proved to be his own worst enemy. Humayun was an intellectual man, interested in culture etc. and was devoid of the qualities that would make him a strong emperor like his father. Humayun lacked the capability to fight effective battles, after obtaining an early victory he would simply relax, which allowed the enemy time to regroup and launch a counterattack. Another fatal failing in Humayun was that he was too lenient with his enemies. His attitude towards his scheming brothers was conciliatory and he appointed them as heads of important Mughal provinces. Such a step put them in control of vital resources the new Mughal empire required. For instance his brother Kamran controlled regions near and beyond the Indus, which were the primary recruiting grounds for the Mughal army. This was a foolish mistake, because in order to preserve the empire Humayun he required a large and well maintained army. Humayun launched a series of attacks during his early years in power, but most of the areas he won over were lost soon. Meanwhile the ousted Afghans from the Sultanate era had not reconciled to the new Mughal rule, and began rallying around Sher Shah. Sher Shah took advantage of Humayun's military ineptness and launched a series of strategically timed attacks which completely defeated Humayun. Humayun's brothers did not unite with him and hence Sher Shah was able to oust the Mughal power in India and set up a brief reign. The defeated Humayun wandered around for years looking for a place that would give him shelter and help him prepare an attack. No king was willing to give him asylum, even Shaikh Ali Ambar Jani whose daughter Hamida Banu Begam Humayun had married. His son Akbar was born while Humayun was still wandering around. Humayun's brothers did not assist him in these difficult times. After the death of Sher Shah, his successors were weak and this encouraged Humayun to explore the possibility of reclaiming his empire. His search for asylum and military support finally ended when a Persian king Shah Tahmasp agreed to shelter him and provide him assistance. He provided him with a force of 14,000 in return for certain concessions and Humayun invaded India. Humayun was able to successfully defeat his brother Kamran at the frontiers and this time he did not show any leniency, his brother was imprisoned, blinded and deported. His brothers attempted to attack him and were also defeated. Humayun went on to Delhi where he defeated the rulers there and once again re- established his empire. Humayun was able to undo his own mistakes, and managed to launch a successful campaign to restore the Mughal power in India. Humayun had overcome his past failings but unfortunately did not live much longer, he died in 1556 after accidentally falling down the steps of his library. The irony of Humayun's life is that while his name means fortunate, he suffered one misfortune after another.