SOAS Research Online

Abstract

In this thesis, an attempt has been made to study the history of the Afghans in India from 1545 to 1631 ; especial stress has been laid on their relations with the Mughals as, either as rulers or as vanquished, they had far-reaching contact with the latter. Chapter I discusses the origin of the Afghans, their settlement in India and their rise to the saltanate. Chapter II examines the nature of the Afghan monarchy, revealing its tribal character, the ascendancy of the chiefs and the conflict of two opposite political forces, the tribal independence and strong monarchy, in the saltanate. Chapter III discusses Islam Shah's kingship and administration comparing them with sher shah's and emphasising Islam's success. Chapter IV studies the reaction and the re-appearance of the conflict culminating in Afghan loss of Northern India. Chapters V-VI deal with the Afghan saltanate in Eastern India and its relations with the Mughals. Chapters VII-IX study the Afghan attitude towards their conquerors and the Afghani policy of the Mughal emperors, revealing Babur and Humayun's conciliation, Akbar's distrust and Jahagir's clemency and favours to the Afghans and also the rise of Afghan influence at Mughal court. Chapter IX shows the decline of the Afghan's position at Shah Jahan's court on account of Khan Jahan Ludi's rebellion and the Afghan abortive attempt to recover their sovereignty. Chapter X concludes the Afghan history in India by assessing the significance of Afghani rule and the place of the Afghan people in the general history of this country. The Bibliography contains an appreciation of the materials used in the thesis.