Isa Khan
Encyclopedia
Isa Khan is the most famous of the Baro Bhuiyans (twelve landlords) of medieval Bengal
. He was the ruler of a region named Bhati. Throughout his reign he put resistance against Mughal
invasion. It was only after his death, when the region went totally under Mughals.
. He settled in Bengal
in the reign of Nusrat Shah, the independent Sultan from Hussain Shahi dynasty
, and carved out an independent principality in the Bhati region comprising the northeastern portion of greater Dhaka district and the southeastern portion of greater Mymensingh
district. Sulaiman, who rebelled against Islam Shah Suri
at least twice, was killed in 1548. Isa was then about 19 years old. After his father's death Isa was brought up by his paternal uncle, Qutubuddin. He spent his childhood and youth in Bhati.
, the Karrani Afghan ruler, that Isa obtained an estate in Sonargaon
and Maheswardi Pargana in 1564 at the age of about 35 as a vassal of the Karrani rulers of Bengal. By winning the favour of the Karrani rulers he gradually increased his strength and status and by 1571 became so powerful that a Mughal historian, Abul Fazl
, designated him as the ruler of Bhati. In 1573 Isa Khan helped Daud Khan Karrani in his expedition to Chittagong
against Udaya Manikya, the king of Tripura
. He also helped his mentor in driving out the Mughal flotilla from the vicinity of Sonargaon
in 1575. Isa Khan's services to Daud Khan earned him the title of Masnad-i-Ala.
and Kamarupa respectively. Above all, Isa ensured proper use of his war-boats, the backbone of his military power.
invaded the Bhati region, ie, East Bengal and encamped at Bhawal. Ibrahim Naral and Karimdad Musazai, the two Afghan chieftains broke their alliance with Isa and offered allegiance to the Mughals. Isa Khan stood defiant and a large Mughal naval force was sent against him under Shah Bardi and Muhammad Quli. A fierce engagement took place at Kastul (in present-day Kishoreganj
district). Despite Isa's initial retreat, the Mughal army took to flight after being severely defeated by Isa's allies, Majlis Dilawar and Maharaja Pratap. Consequently Khan Jahan
left Bhati.
led an expedition against Isa Khan in 1584. Taking advantage of Isa's preoccupations in the Koch Bihar
expedition the Mughal army ravaged Katrabo, the home and capital of Isa, as well as Khizirpur, Sonargaon
and Egarasindur. At this time Isa returned from Koch Bihar
and with his ally, Masum Khan Kabuli, put up a vehement resistance against the Mughals. The Mughals were defeated in the battle of Egarasindur and Bhawal, and were forced to turn back to Tandah
, Bengal
capital of the Mughals.
Rejuvenated with reinforcements sent by Akbar, Shahbaz Khan
again marched towards Bhati in 1586. At this juncture, Isa sent presents and a proposal of peace to the Mughal Subahdar and pretending to be loyal to the emperor he succeeded in forestalling a Mughal invasion of Bhati. Since then Isa remained undisturbed in his own territory for almost a decade. An early English explorer, Ralph Fitch
, who visited Sonargaon
in 1586, called him "the chief king of all these countries", "the chief of all the other kings" and "a great friend to the Christians".
. This resulted in the death of Durjan and the ruination of the Mughal
army. Isa Khan died in September 1599 at the age of about 70.
and Maheswardi Pargana into an independent domain which comprised a considerable portion of Dhaka district
, almost the whole of Mymensingh district
and also a small portion of Tripura district
. Katrabo and Sonargaon
were his capitals. Apart from these two, Khizirpur in Narayanganj
and Jangalbari and Egarasindur in Kishoreganj
district were his strong outposts.
imperialism and aggression in the last quarter of the 16th century turned him into a pre-eminent personality of Bengal
. Isa Khan's remarkable career profoundly stirred the minds of the Bengali people. This has been reflected in different ballads, dramas, novels and patriotic songs composed since his time.
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. He was the ruler of a region named Bhati. Throughout his reign he put resistance against Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
invasion. It was only after his death, when the region went totally under Mughals.
Early life
It is estimated that he was born in 1529. His father Sulaiman Khan was a descendant of an Afghan chieftain of the region of the Sulayman ranges in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. He settled in Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
in the reign of Nusrat Shah, the independent Sultan from Hussain Shahi dynasty
Hussain Shahi dynasty
Hussain Shahi dynasty that ruled from 1494-1538. Alauddin Hussain Shah, considered as the greatest of all the sultans of Bengal for bringing cultural renaissance during his reign. He conquered Kamarupa, Kamata, Jajnagar, Orissa and extended the sultanate all the way to the port of Chittagong, which...
, and carved out an independent principality in the Bhati region comprising the northeastern portion of greater Dhaka district and the southeastern portion of greater Mymensingh
Mymensingh
Mymensingh , pronounced moy-mon-shing-haw, is a city of Bangladesh situated on the river Brahmaputra. It is the headquarters of the administrative unit Mymensingh District. Mymensingh is the anglicized pronunciation of the original name Momenshahi, referring to a ruler called Momen Shah. The cadet...
district. Sulaiman, who rebelled against Islam Shah Suri
Islam Shah Suri
Islam Shah Suri was the second ruler of the Sur dynasty which ruled part of India in the mid-16th century. His original name was Jalal Khan and he was the second son of Sher Shah Suri. On his father's death, an emergency meeting of nobles chose him to be successor instead of his elder brother Adil...
at least twice, was killed in 1548. Isa was then about 19 years old. After his father's death Isa was brought up by his paternal uncle, Qutubuddin. He spent his childhood and youth in Bhati.
Rise to power
It was because of the good grace of Taj Khan KarraniTaj Khan Karrani
Taj Khan Karrani was the founder of Karrani dynasty. He was a former employee of Sher Shah Suri. He captured a vast region of south-eastern Bihar and west Bengal...
, the Karrani Afghan ruler, that Isa obtained an estate in Sonargaon
Sonargaon
Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh....
and Maheswardi Pargana in 1564 at the age of about 35 as a vassal of the Karrani rulers of Bengal. By winning the favour of the Karrani rulers he gradually increased his strength and status and by 1571 became so powerful that a Mughal historian, Abul Fazl
Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak
Shaikh Abu al-Fazl ibn Mubarak also known as Abu'l-Fazl, Abu'l Fadl and Abu'l-Fadl 'Allami was the vizier of the great Mughal emperor Akbar, and author of the Akbarnama, the official history of Akbar's reign in three volumes, and a Persian translation of the Bible...
, designated him as the ruler of Bhati. In 1573 Isa Khan helped Daud Khan Karrani in his expedition to Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
against Udaya Manikya, the king of Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
. He also helped his mentor in driving out the Mughal flotilla from the vicinity of Sonargaon
Sonargaon
Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh....
in 1575. Isa Khan's services to Daud Khan earned him the title of Masnad-i-Ala.
Reign
Isa Khan played a leading role in the local resistance that followed the defeat of the Kararani Afghans at the hands of the Mughals in the battle of Rajmahal in 1576. An astute and farsighted politician, Isa Khan realised that he could not face Akbar single-handed with his relatively limited resources. So he established rapport with the neighbouring landlords and the Afghan chieftains and forged an anti-Mughal politico-military alliance with them. He also made friendship with Amar Manikya and Raghu Dev, the neighbouring kings of TripuraTripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
and Kamarupa respectively. Above all, Isa ensured proper use of his war-boats, the backbone of his military power.
Battle against Subahdar Khan Jahan
In 1578 the Mughal Subahdar Khan JahanKhan Jahan I
Hussain Quli Beg was a Mughal General with the rank of 5000. He was entitled as Khan-i-Jahan by emperor Akbar.-Early Life:...
invaded the Bhati region, ie, East Bengal and encamped at Bhawal. Ibrahim Naral and Karimdad Musazai, the two Afghan chieftains broke their alliance with Isa and offered allegiance to the Mughals. Isa Khan stood defiant and a large Mughal naval force was sent against him under Shah Bardi and Muhammad Quli. A fierce engagement took place at Kastul (in present-day Kishoreganj
Kishoreganj
Kishoreganj District with an area of 2688.62 sq km, is bounded by Netrokona and Mymensingh districts on the north, Narsingdi district on the southwest and brahmanbaria district on the southeast, sunamganj and habiganj districts on the east, gazipur and Mymensingh districts on the west...
district). Despite Isa's initial retreat, the Mughal army took to flight after being severely defeated by Isa's allies, Majlis Dilawar and Maharaja Pratap. Consequently Khan Jahan
Khan Jahan I
Hussain Quli Beg was a Mughal General with the rank of 5000. He was entitled as Khan-i-Jahan by emperor Akbar.-Early Life:...
left Bhati.
Battle against General Shahbaz Khan
The next Subahdar Shahbaz KhanGeneral Shahbaz Khan Kamboh
Shahbaz Khan Kamboh was one of the most capable and trustworthy Generals of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He participated in some of the most difficult expeditions of Akbar and annexed numerous territories to the empire...
led an expedition against Isa Khan in 1584. Taking advantage of Isa's preoccupations in the Koch Bihar
Koch Bihar
Koch Bihar was a small kingdom located south of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, west of the upper Brahmaputra valley Ahom kingdom, and north-east of the Ganges plain and Bengal. It was formed when the Kamata Kingdom under the Koch dynasty split following the death of Nara Narayan in 1586. The...
expedition the Mughal army ravaged Katrabo, the home and capital of Isa, as well as Khizirpur, Sonargaon
Sonargaon
Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh....
and Egarasindur. At this time Isa returned from Koch Bihar
Koch Bihar
Koch Bihar was a small kingdom located south of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, west of the upper Brahmaputra valley Ahom kingdom, and north-east of the Ganges plain and Bengal. It was formed when the Kamata Kingdom under the Koch dynasty split following the death of Nara Narayan in 1586. The...
and with his ally, Masum Khan Kabuli, put up a vehement resistance against the Mughals. The Mughals were defeated in the battle of Egarasindur and Bhawal, and were forced to turn back to Tandah
Tandah
Tandah was a town in the district of Fyzabad , Oude, British India; 3 miles from the Ghogra River; 100 miles S. E. of Lucknow. It was the seat of the largest weaving colony in the province, and manufactured both coarse cloth and fine muslin....
, Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
capital of the Mughals.
Rejuvenated with reinforcements sent by Akbar, Shahbaz Khan
General Shahbaz Khan Kamboh
Shahbaz Khan Kamboh was one of the most capable and trustworthy Generals of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He participated in some of the most difficult expeditions of Akbar and annexed numerous territories to the empire...
again marched towards Bhati in 1586. At this juncture, Isa sent presents and a proposal of peace to the Mughal Subahdar and pretending to be loyal to the emperor he succeeded in forestalling a Mughal invasion of Bhati. Since then Isa remained undisturbed in his own territory for almost a decade. An early English explorer, Ralph Fitch
Ralph Fitch
Ralph Fitch was a gentleman merchant of London and one of the earliest English travellers and traders to visit Mesopotamia, the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, India and Southeast Asia...
, who visited Sonargaon
Sonargaon
Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh....
in 1586, called him "the chief king of all these countries", "the chief of all the other kings" and "a great friend to the Christians".
Battle against Durjan Singh
In September 1597, Mansingh sent two large forces by land and water against Isa Khan. The Mughal army under the command of Durjan Singh, son of Mansingh, initially achieved some success and even attacked Katrabo. But finally on 5 September of the same year a naval engagement took place 12 miles off BikrampurBikrampur
Bikrampur pargana is situated 12 miles south of Dhaka, the modern-day capital of Bangladesh. It lies in the Munshiganj District of Bangladesh. It is a historic region in Bengal. The region is famous for its early Buddhist scholarships and in the later period for its cultural influences...
. This resulted in the death of Durjan and the ruination of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army. Isa Khan died in September 1599 at the age of about 70.
Ruled area
Isa established his authority over a vast territory by gradually increasing his strength. He successfully transformed his estate in SonargaonSonargaon
Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh....
and Maheswardi Pargana into an independent domain which comprised a considerable portion of Dhaka district
Dhaka District
Dhaka District is a district located in central Bangladesh, and is the densest district in the nation. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, rests on the eastern banks of the Buriganga River which flows from the Turag to the south of the district...
, almost the whole of Mymensingh district
Mymensingh District
Mymensingh is one of the districts of Dhaka division, Bangladesh, and is bordered on the north by Meghalaya state of India and Garo Hills, on the south by Gazipur district, on the east by districts of Netrokona and Kishoreganj, and on the west by districts of Sherpur, Jamalpur and Tangail...
and also a small portion of Tripura district
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
. Katrabo and Sonargaon
Sonargaon
Sonargaon is the ancient capital of Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal. It is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj, Bangladesh....
were his capitals. Apart from these two, Khizirpur in Narayanganj
Narayanganj
Narayanganj is a city in central Bangladesh. It is located in the Narayanganj District, near the capital city of Dhaka and has a population of 220,000. The city is on the bank of the Shitalakshya River. The river port of Narayanganj is one of the oldest in Bangladesh...
and Jangalbari and Egarasindur in Kishoreganj
Kishoreganj
Kishoreganj District with an area of 2688.62 sq km, is bounded by Netrokona and Mymensingh districts on the north, Narsingdi district on the southwest and brahmanbaria district on the southeast, sunamganj and habiganj districts on the east, gazipur and Mymensingh districts on the west...
district were his strong outposts.
Legacy
Isa Khan's success in the struggle for the preservation of the independence of Bengal against MughalMughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
imperialism and aggression in the last quarter of the 16th century turned him into a pre-eminent personality of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. Isa Khan's remarkable career profoundly stirred the minds of the Bengali people. This has been reflected in different ballads, dramas, novels and patriotic songs composed since his time.