Diler Khan

Diler Khan Pathan was a Mughal general who served under Aurangzeb. He was the son of Nawab Darya Khan Daudzai, a mansabdar of Pashtun ethnicity who had migrated to India in 1603. He is known to battle and kill Murarbaji, the military general of Shivaji and the in-charge of Purandar Fort. ^[1]^[2]

He also responsible for the Mughal victory over Shivaji in the Battle of Bhupalgarh.^[3]

Campaign against Marathas

All of Aurangzeb's attempts to overthrow Shivaji went in vain. So he sent Mirza Raje JaiSingh, along with Diler Khan to overthrow the Marathas and establish Mughal rule in the Deccan. Diler Khan insisted on capturing Purandar Fort. But Mirza Raje JaiSingh, being a shrewd and experienced general, knew that hoisting the Mughal flag on Purandar will not be easy. So he advised Diler Khan to move his army on Vajragarh. Purandar Fort was a short distance from Vajragarh. If Vajragarh is captured, the Mughal cannons could easily capture the Purandar Fort. ^[4]

On 13 April 1665, Diler Khan was successful in capturing Vajragarh. The Mughal army under Diler Khan and Jai Singh 1 celebrated the victory over Vajragarh with booming of guns. Diler Khan now turned his attention to Purandar.

On 16 May 1665, Diler Khan faced Murarbaji, the in-charge of Purandar Fort. Murarbaji fought valiantly but was killed. Diler Khan's arrow ended the life of the great and gallant hero. But till his last breath, Murarbaji did not lose the Purandar Fort. Diler Khan and Mirza Raje JaiSingh's efforts went in vain until the signing of the Treaty of Purandar.^[5]

References

^ Srivastava, Ashirbadi Lal. The Mughul Empire, 1526-1803 A.D. S. L. Agarwala. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
^ Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami. Ancient India and South Indian History & Culture: Papers on Indian History and Culture; India to A.D. 1300. Oriental Book Agency. p. 35.
^ "Battle of Bhupalgarh".
^ Elliot, Henry Miers. The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians: The Muhammadan Period. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-05589-5.
^ Joshi, Rita. The Afghan Nobility and the Mughals: 1526-1707. Vikas Publishing House.

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[1] Srivastava, Ashirbadi Lal. The Mughul Empire, 1526-1803 A.D. S. L. Agarwala. Retrieved 13 September 2020.

[2] Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami. Ancient India and South Indian History & Culture: Papers on Indian History and Culture; India to A.D. 1300. Oriental Book Agency. p. 35.

[battles_marathas_lost-3] "Battle of Bhupalgarh".

[4] Elliot, Henry Miers. The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians: The Muhammadan Period. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-05589-5.

[5] Joshi, Rita. The Afghan Nobility and the Mughals: 1526-1707. Vikas Publishing House.

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