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{{Short description|War between the Delhi Sultanate and Bengal (1324)}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Tughlaq campaign of Bengal
| place = [[Bengal]]
| date = 1324 AD.
| territory = [[Lakhnauti]], [[Satgaon]], [[Sonargaon]] annexed by the [[Delhi Sultanate]]<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Majumdar|1960|p=[https://archive.org/details/delhisultanate00bhar/page/55/mode/1up 56]}}: "He confirmed Sultan Nasir-ud-din in the government of North Bengal with its capital at [[Lakhnauti|Lakhhawati]]. Eastern and Southern Bengal, with capitals respectively at [[Sonargaon]] and [[Satgaon]], were annexed to the Sultanate, and his adopted son [[Bahram Khan]] was appointed to govern them"</ref>
| result = [[Delhi Sultanate]] victory{{Sfn|Jackson|2003|pp=[https://archive.org/details/TheDelhiSultanateAPoliticalAndMilitaryHistoryCambridgeStudiesInIslamicCivilization/page/n221/mode/1up 201-202]}}
| combatant1 = [[Delhi Sultanate]]
| combatant2 = [[Bengal]]
| commander1 = [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq]]<br />[[Bahram Khan]]<br />Nasiruddin Ibrahim Shah{{Efn|Defected to Tughlaq's side}}<br />Zulchi<br />Habitulllah Khan Qasuri
| commander2 = [[Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah]]{{POW}}
| strength1 = Unknown
| strength2 = Unknown
}}

The Tughlaq campaign in Bengal, launched in 1324 by Sultan [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq|Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq]] ({{Reign|1320|1325}}), aimed to reassert Delhi’s authority over the independent principality of [[Bengal]], which had been autonomous since the death of Sultan [[Balban]] ({{Reign|1266|1287}}). Following the suppression of a rebellion in Gujarat, Ghiyas al-din marched to Bengal to address the instability caused by a fratricidal conflict among the sons of [[Shamsuddin Firuz Shah]], particularly targeting [[Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah]], who had seized power in [[Gauḍa (city)|Lakhnauti]]. Led by General [[Bahram Khan]], the imperial forces defeated Bahadur near Lakhnauti, capturing him after a pursuit to Khyaspur. Nasiruddin Ibrahim Shah was installed as the tributary ruler of Lakhnauti, while Satgaon and Sonargaon were placed under Bahram Khan's control.
== Background ==
{{Further|Balban's campaign of Bengal}}After suppressing rebellion in [[Gujarat]], Sultan [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq|Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq]] turned his focus to Bengal, which had been independent since [[Balban|Ghiyath al-Din Balban]]'s death.<ref name=":0">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Majumdar|1960|p=[https://archive.org/details/delhisultanate00bhar/page/55 56]}}</ref> After Sultan Balban's death, his second son, [[Nasiruddin Bughra Khan|Bughra Khan]] ({{Reign|1287|1291}}), established an independent kingdom in Bengal.<ref name=":1">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Habib|Nizami|1970|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.147431/page/n497 474]}}</ref>

The situation in Bengal favoured Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq due to the internal strife among the successors of [[Shamsuddin Firuz Shah]] ({{Reign|1301|1322}}). Following the death of Bughra Khan’s descendant, [[Shamsuddin Firuz Shah]], in 1322, his four sons named Shihabuddin Bughra Shah, Nasiruddin Ibrahim Shah, [[Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah|Ghiyasuddin Bahadur]], and Qutlu Khan vied for power. Ghiyasuddin Bahadur had established himself at [[Sonargaon]] before his father’s death.<ref name=":2">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haig|1928|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.177678/page/262 261]}}</ref> A fratricidal conflict erupted, with Ghiyasuddin Bahadur’s ambition causing widespread chaos. He defeated<ref name=":2" /> and expelled Shihabuddin,{{Efn|[[Wolseley Haig]] writes that “Bughra died, or was slain” ({{Harvard citation no brackets|Haig|1928|p=261}})}} who had succeeded his father at [[Lakhnauti]] in 1319 AD,<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Srivastava|1966|p=[https://archive.org/details/thesultanateofdelhibylalsrivastava/page/n219 186]}}</ref> and killed Qutlu Khan.<ref name=":1" /> His next brother, Nasiruddin, who was older than Bahadur, ascended the throne and in 1324 AD.{{Efn|[[Mohammad Habib]] writes “Barani, Yahiya, Nizamuddin, Badauni and others designate Nasir-ud-din as the ruler of Lakhnauti, the fact is that he had only claims on Lakhnauti and was a fugitive from that place.” ({{Harvard citation no brackets|Habib|Nizami|1970|pp=474-475}})}}<ref name=":2" />

According to the ''[[Riyaz-us-Salatin]]'', Nasiruddin and Shihabuddin sought refuge with Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq, urging him to help them overthrow their ruthless brother, Ghiyasuddin Bahadur. However, [[Abdul Malik Isami|Isami]] reports that as the Sultan crossed the [[Gomti River]] en route to Bengal, Nasiruddin joined him and shared his unsuccessful attempts to convince Ghiyasuddin Bahadur, to accept Delhi’s authority. [[Ziauddin Barani|Barani]] notes that nobles from Lakhnauti approached the Sultan, complaining about the oppressive rule of Bengal’s leader. In response, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq decided to personally lead a campaign to Bengal.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Prasad|1951|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281016/page/n355 292]}} "Towards the close of his reign in 1324 the princes of Lakhnauti, Shihab-ud-din and Nasir-ud-din, who had been expelled from their kingdom by their brother Bahadur, came to Delhi and sought the intervention of Tughluq Shah."</ref><ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Srivastava|1966|p=[https://archive.org/details/thesultanateofdelhibylalsrivastava/page/n219/mode/1up 186]}} "Their third brother, Nasir-ud-din, who, too, was eager to rule over Bengal, appealed to Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq for help."</ref>

== Prelude ==
Determined to reassert control, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq marched with his army in early 1324, leaving his son [[Muhammad bin Tughluq]] in charge of Delhi's government. According to some sources, Muhammad was recalled from [[Telangana]] specifically for this role in January 1324.<ref name=":0" /> Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq left Delhi and marched eastward in the beginning of January 1324 AD.<ref name=":3">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Qinungo|1943|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396/page/n105 84]}}</ref> Arriving near Tirhut, Nasiruddin and some [[Rai (title)|rais]] and [[Zamindar|zamindars]] of that region paid homage to him and explained the attitude of his brother Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah to the sultan.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Habib|Nizami|1970|pp=474-475}}</ref> Nasir offered to capture Bahadur for Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughluq if he were given an army.<ref name=":3" />

The sultan sent his trusted general [[Bahram Khan]], leading a select group of troops alongside Zulchi and Nasiruddin from Tirhut to march on Lakhnauti.<ref name=":4">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Habib|Nizami|1970|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.147431/page/n498/mode/1up 475]}}</ref> The imperial army advanced cautiously and in disciplined formation, positioning Nasiruddin on the left flank of the center.<ref name=":3" /> Bahadur Shah was then at Ghyaspur,{{Efn|Ghyaspur is now a village still known locally as Khyaspur, located 15 miles southwest of the present-day town of [[Mymensingh]].{{Sfn|Qinungo|1943|p=85}}}} a city which he founded. Nasiruddin’s activities in Lakhnauti and rumors of the approaching imperial army prompted Bahadur Shah to return to Lakhnauti.<ref name=":5">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Qinungo|1943|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396/page/n106 85]}}</ref>

== Battle of Lakhnauti ==
Bahram Khan, advanced with the imperial army to the vicinity of Lakhnauti. In response, Bahadur Shah, came out from the city with his forces to engage in battle. The opposing armies clashed near Lakhnauti. Both left and the right wing of the two armies clashes with each other.<ref name=":5" /> Bahadur launched an attack on Nasiruddin<ref name=":5" /> and Zulchi<ref name=":4" /> the commander of the imperial center. The assault was repelled, and Bahadur’s forces, thrown into disarray, retreated. Faced with no viable option but retreat, Ghiyasuddin Bahadur withdrew some distance. The imperial forces, with swords drawn, launched a fierce charge, inflicting heavy casualties and sowing terror among Bahadur’s ranks.<ref name=":5" />

During his retreat, Bahadur, struck by the memory of his cherished concubine left behind in his abandoned camp, hastily returned to retrieve her before resuming his escape.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah retreated overland toward [[Bangladesh|Banga]], as per Isami’s account. Bahram Khan dispatched a detachment led by Haibatullah Khan Qasuri in pursuit. Bahadur’s Lakhnauti army, heading toward Khyaspur, crossed several hill ridges.<ref name=":8">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Qinungo|1943|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396/page/n107 86]}}</ref> After crossing several hills, he reached a riverbank and became trapped in a quagmire. There, he was captured and brought before Bahram Khan as a prisoner.<ref name=":4" />

== Aftermath ==
Following their triumph, the army returned to the imperial camp, delivering their captives into the Sultan's presence.<ref name=":4" /> Ghiyasuddin Bahadur was placed in chains and later taken to Delhi.<ref name=":6">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haig|1928|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.177678/page/263 262]}}</ref> Thereafter, the rest of Bengal was overrun by the imperial army.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mehta|1979|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.147229/page/n211 193]}}</ref> Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq stayed on a month or two in Bengal to gather the spoils of war.<ref name=":5" /> Nasiruddin was confirmed as the tributary ruler of Northern Bengal with its capital at Lakhnauti, while Eastern and Southern Bengal, with capitals respectively at Sonargaon and Satgaon, were annexed to the Sultanate, and entrusted to his adopted son Bahram Khan to govern them.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Srivastava|1966|p=[https://archive.org/details/thesultanateofdelhibylalsrivastava/page/n219 186]}}</ref>

Sultan Nasiruddin Ibrahim, remained a loyal [[vassal]] of Delhi, issued coins from the Lakhnauti mint bearing his name alongside Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq’s. This practice of joint coinage likely continued under Tughluq’s successor.<ref name=":8" /> After his death in 1328,<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Qinungo|1943|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396/page/n109/mode 88]}} "However, where and when Nasiruddin died after 728 A.H. need not be speculated upon, …"</ref> Lakhnauti also came under Bahram Khan's authority.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Qinungo|1943|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396/page/n108 87]}}</ref>

In 1325 Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq's successor [[Muhammad bin Tughluq|Muhammad bin Tughlaq]] ({{Reign|1325|1351}}), released Ghiyasuddin Bahadur and appointed vassal king of Sonargaon, with Bahram assigned as the emperor’s representative to oversee its administration. Following Bahadur Shah’s revolt in 1328, Tatar Khan defeated him, took him captive, and executed him.<ref>{{Cite Banglapedia|last=Khan|first=Muazzam Hussain|article=Tatar Khan|article-url=Tatar_Khan}}</ref> Muhammad bin Tughlaq also appointed Malik Pindar (or Bedar) Khilji under Nasiruddin Ibrahim, titled Qadar Khan, as the [[feudatory]] of Lakhnauti, while [[Izz al-Din Yahya|Izzuddin Yahya]], with the title Azam Malik, as the feudatory of Satgaon.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Qinungo|1943|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396/page/n108 87]}}</ref>

Regarding the political situation of Bengal's governance K. R. Qinungo writes,
: "The three well-defined regions of Bengal, Lakhnawati, Satgānw and Sonargānw, were governed by Qadar Khan, Malik Izzuddin Yahaya, and Bahram Khan alias Tätär Khan respectively, without any internal dissension or any attempt at rebellion against the authority of Sultan Muhammad Tughluq for about ten years more after the suppression of the last rebellion of Bahadur Shah."{{Sfn|Qinungo|1943|p=89}}

Bahram Khan died in 1337 AD. In 1338, Bahram's armour-bearer upon his master’s death assumed in Sonargaon the royal title of [[Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah]] ({{Reign|1328|1349}}) and reigned till his death in 1349.<ref>{{Cite Banglapedia|last=Khan|first=Muazzam Hussain|article=Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah|article-url=Fakhruddin_Mubarak_Shah}}</ref> In the same year, [[Izz al-Din Yahya|Izzuddin Yahya]], governor of Satgaon died enabling Mubarak's foster brother [[Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah|Haji Ilyas]] to became independent at Satgaon.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite Banglapedia|last=Ahmed|first=ABM Shamsuddin|article=Iliyas Shah|article-url=Iliyas_Shah}}</ref> In 1339/1340, Qadar Khan died at Lakhnauti, and the muster-master of his forces proclaimed himself as king of Western Bengal under the title of [[Alauddin Ali Shah]] ({{Reign|1339|1342}}). He moved his capital from Lakhnauti to [[Pandua, Malda|Pandua]]. Alauddin Ali Shah succeeded his son [[Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah]] ({{Reign|1349|1352}}).<ref name=":6" />

Haji Ilyas waged war against Alauddin Ali Shah conquering his domain including Lakhnauti in 1342.<ref name=":7" /> He assumed the title of [[Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah]]. In 1352, he conquered Sonargaon defeating Ikhtiyaruddin Ghazi Shah and became the master of the whole of Bengal.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Haig|1928|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.177678/page/263 263]}}</ref> He unified the three fractured provinces therefore established the independent [[Bengal Sultanate|Sultanate of Bengal]] under [[Ilyas Shahi dynasty]].<ref name=":7" />

== See also ==
* [[Ekdala Wars]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Qinungo |first=K. R. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24396 |title=The History of Bengal |date=1943 |publisher=B. R. Publishing Corporation |isbn=81-7646-239-X |editor-last=Sarkar |editor-first=Jadunath |editor-link=Jadunath Sarkar |volume=II |location=Delhi |chapter=Chapter III. Bengal under the House of Balban}}
* {{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R. C. |author-link=R. C. Majumdar |url=https://archive.org/details/delhisultanate00bhar/ |title=History and the Culture of the Indian People |publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |year=1960 |editor-last=Majumdar |editor-first=R. C. |editor-link=R. C. Majumdar |volume=VI |location=Bombay}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Delhi_Sultanate.html?id=lt2tqOpVRKgC&source=kp_book_description |title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History |date=2003-10-16 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-54329-3 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/TheDelhiSultanateAPoliticalAndMilitaryHistoryCambridgeStudiesInIslamicCivilization |archive-date=2018-07-23}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Comprehensive_History_of_India_The_Del.html?id=_9cmAQAAMAAJ |title=A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206-1526) |date=1970 |publisher=People's Publishing House |editor-last=Habib |editor-first=Mohammad |editor-link=Mohammad Habib |volume=V |language=en |editor-last2=Nizami |editor-first2=Khaliq Ahmad |editor-link2=K. A. Nizami}}
* {{Cite book |last=Srivastava |first=Ashirbadi Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Sultanate_of_Delhi_711_1526_A_D.html?id=PAsfAAAAIAAJ |title=The Sultanate of Delhi, 711-1526 A.D.: Including the Arab Invasion of Sindh, Hindu Rule in Afghanistan and Causes of the Defeat of the Hindus in Early Medieval Age |date=1966 |publisher=Shiva Lal Agarwala |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Prasad |first=Ishwari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vuf6SZPo3OkC |title=History of Medieval India |date=1951 |publisher=The Indian Press Ltd. |edition=Third |location=Allahabad |orig-year=1933 |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281016/mode/1up |archive-date=2017-01-16}}
* {{Cite book |last=Haig |first=W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QXhZ38Y4ugAC |title=The Cambridge History of India: Turks and Afghans, edited by W. Haig |date=1928 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |volume=III |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Mehta |first=J. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iUk5k5AN54sC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India |date=1979 |publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd |isbn=978-81-207-1015-3 |language=en}}
{{refend}}

[[Category:Wars involving medieval India]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Delhi Sultanate]] [[Category:Conflicts in 1324]]
[[Category:Wars involving the Bengal Sultanate]]

Tughlaq conquest of Bengal - Revision history

PhilSalisbury74: adding some stub more to come