Dawar

Dawar
Issue Hoshmand Banu Begum
Full name
Dawar Bakhsh Bahadur
Dynasty Timurid
Father Prince Khusuru
Born 1603
Died 23 January 1628 (aged 24–25)

Dawar or Dawar Bakhsh (1603 - 23 January 1628), which means "God Given" was the ruler of the Moghul Empire for a short time between 1627-1628, immediately after the death of his grandfather Jahangir (r. 1605-1627). It was the title given to 'Bulaki' on his accession to the Moghul throne. He was the grandson of Jahangir, the eldest son of Prince Khusuru, who was killed in 1622, at the behest of Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan), for rebelling against his father Jahangir.

Earlier he was made the Diwan of the Dakhin, and later Governor of Gujrat, by his grandfather, Jahangir.[1][2][3] Upon the death of the latter, he became a pawn in the political game to seize the Moghul throne. He was declared the Moghul Emperor by Asaf Khan as a stopgap arrangement to counter the claims of the queen Nur Jahan, who wanted Shahryar as the king.

Dawar Baksh’s daughter, Hoshmand Banu Begum, was married to Hoshang, son of Prince Daniyal, the last son of Akbar.[4]

Dawar's ascension and death

Upon the death of Jahangir, in order to secure the accession of Shah Jahan, Asaf Khan, the brother of Nur Jehan, brought Dawar Baksh out of confinement, declared him king and sent him to Lahore.

However, Nur Jahan favoured Jahangir’s youngest son, Shahriyar, to ascend, and since he was in Lahore at the time, he ascended to the throne, captured state treasury and, in an attempt to secure his throne, distributed over 70 lakh rupees amongst old and new noblemen. Meanwhile, Mirza Baisinghar, son of the late Prince Daniyal, on the death of the Emperor, fled to Lahore, and joined Shahryar.

The two forces met near Lahore. Shahryar lost the battle and fled into the fort, where the next morning he was presented in front of Dawar Baksh, who placed him in confinement.

On Jumada-l awwal 2, 1037 AH (December 30, 1627[5]) Shah Jahan was proclaimed Emperor at Lahore, and on Jumada-l awwal 26, 1037 AH (January 23, 1628[5]) on his orders, Dawar, his brother Garshásp, Shahryar, and Tahmuras and Hoshang, sons of the deceased Prince Daniyal, were all put to death.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Khusrau Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, The Memoirs of Jahangir (Rogers), Volume 2, chpt. 52 "... To Dawar-bakhsh, s. Khusrau, I gave the mansab of 5,000 personal and 2,000 horse."
  2. ↑ Commanders of Three Hundred. Ain-i-Akbari, by Abul Fazl, chpt. 234.
  3. ↑ On the first of the Divine month of Khurdād Prince Dāwar-bakhsh, s. Khusrau, was appointed to Gujarat Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, The Memoirs of Jahangir (Rogers), Volume 2, chpt. 56.
  4. ↑ The Grandees of the Empire Ain-i-Akbari, by Abul Fazl. Volume I, Chpt. 30.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Taylor, G.P.(1907). Some Dates Relating to the Mughal Emperors of India in Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, New Series, Vol.3, Calcutta: The Asiatic Society of Bengal, p.59
  6. ↑ Death of the Emperor (Jahangir) The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians. The Muhammadan Period, Sir H. M. Elliot, London, 1867–1877, vol 6.

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