Siege of Kandahar (1605–1606)
Siege of Kandahar | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | Mughal Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() | Šāh Beg Khan | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
50,000 Appx | 300,000 Appx |
The siege of Kandahar lasted from November 1605 to January 1606 and was led by Safavids to take the Mughal frontier city of Kandahar. After two months of constant assaults, the relief army forced the Persians to retreat. Thus, resulted in a decisive victory for the Mughal Empire.
Background[]
The Mughals had obtained the city of Kandahar in 1595, after the Mughal army advanced to the city's governor, Moẓaffar-Ḥosayn Mirzā, and negotiated with him a surrender.[1] The Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas, was shocked by the loss of the important fortress but as main Iranian concerns lay with the equally powerful Ottomans at their westernmost territories, he abstained from military action, preferring to negotiate a settlement.
Battle[]
When Emperor Akbar died on October 27, 1605, the Safavid governor of Herat, Hosayn Khan, moved to recapture the city on behalf of the Safavids while the Mughals were distracted with other matters.[1] The city, defended by governor , held out against the Safavid siege until the next year when the new emperor, Jahangir, sent an army that lifted the siege.
Aftermath[]
Abbas repudiated Hosayn's actions in a letter to Jahangir, and both sides reestablished normal relations,[1] though Kandahar would remain a controversial affair between both parties.[1]
Notes[]
Sources[]
- "KANDAHAR iv. From The Mongol Invasion Through the Safavid Era". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- Battles involving the Mughal Empire
- Conflicts in 1605
- Conflicts in 1606
- Battles involving Safavid Iran
- Wars involving Afghanistan
- History of Kandahar
- 1605 in Asia
- 1606 in Asia
- Battle stubs