Previous Year Question
Of the following who had rebelled against the Mughal Emperor Jahangir?
Asaf Khan
Khurram
Mahabat Khan
Khusrau
Codes:
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4 only
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
4. Khusrau — Rebelled:
Soon after the beginning of Jahangir's reign, his eldest son Prince Khusrau rebelled in 1606 CE.
Khusrau left Agra, moved towards Punjab and gathered his supporters. Jahangir's forces pursued him, and he was eventually defeated and captured.
The rebellion was also important because it revealed an open struggle over succession and power within the Mughal royal family very early in Jahangir's reign.
2. Khurram — Rebelled:
Prince Khurram, who later became Emperor Shah Jahan, also rebelled against his father Jahangir.
During the third decade of the seventeenth century, conflict intensified at court over succession, the Nur Jahan faction and political influence. IGNCA historical material explicitly states that Jahangir's reign saw Khusrau and Khurram rebel in succession.
Khurram's rebellion continued for several years. Mughal armies were sent against him, and he eventually submitted after negotiations. After Jahangir's death, the same prince ascended the throne as Shah Jahan. IGNCA material records Khurram in rebellion in the 1620s and his subsequent accession with Asaf Khan's support.
3. Mahabat Khan — Rebelled:
Mahabat Khan was one of Jahangir's powerful military commanders. His political differences with Nur Jahan and Asaf Khan became increasingly serious.
In 1626 CE, Mahabat Khan took the extraordinary step of seizing Jahangir near the Jhelum/Behat River. He controlled the bridge across the river and effectively secured the person of the emperor in the royal camp.
Nur Jahan subsequently used political and military manoeuvres to reverse the situation and free Jahangir from Mahabat Khan's control. The episode is conventionally known as Mahabat Khan's rebellion.
1. Asaf Khan — Did not rebel:
Asaf Khan was the brother of Nur Jahan and the father of Mumtaz Mahal. He was one of Jahangir's principal nobles and ministers.
During Mahabat Khan's action, Asaf Khan was not acting as an enemy of Jahangir; rather, he was on the side of Jahangir and Nur Jahan. After Mahabat Khan seized the emperor, Nur Jahan and Asaf Khan attempted to organize his rescue.
After Jahangir's death, Asaf Khan played an important role in securing the throne for his son-in-law Khurram, or Shah Jahan, but this is not regarded as a rebellion against Jahangir during his reign.