Relations of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg with Akbar - article ; n°3 ; vol.23, pg 313-331

Mansura Haider

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Cahiers du monde russe et soviétique - Année 1982 - Volume 23 - Numéro 3 - Pages 313-331
Mansura Haider, Les relations ď Abdullah Khan Uzbeg avec Akbar.
L'auteur du présent article s'est attaché à analyser les faits et à faire ressortir les différents facteurs qui ont modelé la politique d'Abdullah Khan Uzbeg à l'égard d'Akbar. Les ambassades successives échangées entre les deux souverains éclairent les différentes étapes des relations politiques indo-ouzbekes et témoignent des changements fréquents survenus dans l'équilibre des puissances dans les régions situées au-delà de 1'Hindu-Kush.
Mansura Haider, Relations of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg with Akbar.
In the present paper, the writer has made an attempt to analyze the facts and highlight the different factors which had shaped the policies of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg towards Akbar. The discussions regarding the various embassies exchanged between the two rulers throw some light on the various stages of Indo-Uzbeg political relations and also indicate frequent changes in the balance of power in the lands beyond Hindukush.
19 pages
Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.

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• Publié par: CAHIERS_DU_MONDE_RUSSE_ET_SOVIETIQUE
• Publié le: 01 janvier 1982
• Nombre de lectures: 131
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

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Mansura Haider
Relations of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg with Akbar
In: Cahiers du monde russe et soviétique. Vol. 23 N°3-4. Juillet-Décembre 1982. pp. 313-331.
Résumé
Mansura Haider, Les relations ď Abdullah Khan Uzbeg avec Akbar.
L'auteur du présent article s'est attaché à analyser les faits et à faire ressortir les différents facteurs qui ont modelé la politique
d'Abdullah Khan Uzbeg à l'égard d'Akbar. Les ambassades successives échangées entre les deux souverains éclairent les
différentes étapes des relations politiques indo-ouzbekes et témoignent des changements fréquents survenus dans l'équilibre
des puissances dans les régions situées au-delà de 1'Hindu-Kush.
Abstract
Mansura Haider, Relations of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg with Akbar.
In the present paper, the writer has made an attempt to analyze the facts and highlight the different factors which had shaped the
policies of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg towards Akbar. The discussions regarding the various embassies exchanged between the two
rulers throw some light on the various stages of Indo-Uzbeg political relations and also indicate frequent changes in the balance
of power in the lands beyond Hindukush.
Citer ce document / Cite this document :
Haider Mansura. Relations of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg with Akbar. In: Cahiers du monde russe et soviétique. Vol. 23 N°3-4. Juillet-
Décembre 1982. pp. 313-331.
doi : 10.3406/cmr.1982.1953
http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/cmr_0008-0160_1982_num_23_3_1953MANSURA HAIDER
RELATIONS OF ABDULLAH KHAN UZBEG
WITH AKBAR
The nature of diplomatic relations between Akbar and
Abdullah Khan has already been discussed in several mono
graphs. (1) It is, therefore, possible now to acquaint oneself
with the details of exchange of embassies and the circumstances
shaping the policy of Akbar towards the Uzbegs at various
times. However, since the accounts so far offered have been
mainly based on Indian and Persian sources without any
detailed study of the Uzbeg sources, their whole emphasis
is on presenting the attitude of Akbar towards his closest
neighbour and contemporary monarch. The picture, therefore,
remains incomplete till a study is also undertaken of the
factors which influenced the policies and attitudes of Abdullah
Khan towards Akbar. As the history of the Uzbegs in the
second half of the sixteenth century is rather obscure, schol
ars have tended to interpret the purpose of each embassy of
Abdullah Khan in the light of the Uzbeg-Persian conflict. In
the present paper, the writer has made an attempt to analyse
the facts and highlight the various factors which had shaped
the policies of Abdullah Khan towards Akbar.
With the expulsion of Babur from Central Asia, the tradi
tional hostility between the Mughals and the Uzbegs was
suspended for the time being probably due to the fact that
there was no bone of contention between the two powers, as
in the case of Persians over the issue of Qandahar. An
embassy had been sent by Kuchum and other Uzbeg sultans
in 1528 to India to congratulate Babur upon his conquest. (2)
Notwithstanding this amicable gesture on the part of Uzbegs,
the Mughals never forgot the loss of their ancestral kingdom.
Despite a persistent wistful desire of the Mughals to conquer
Transoxiana, it was probably apparent to them that the am
bition itself was an unimaginative proposition. While the
defence of the north-western frontier had become a constant
problem and even the conquest of Qandahar was still a dream,
how could they plan to conquer Transoxiana and also exercise
an effective control over these remote "ancestral lands"? In
subsequent years, both Uzbeg and Mughal rulers were faced
with numerous internal problems, and could not venture to
expand the horizon of their ambition at this stage. A new 314 MANSURA HAIDER
chapter begins in the history of Mughal-Uzbeg relations with
the emergence of Abdullah Khan Uzbeg (1560-1598), who tries
to establish vital contacts with Akbar. The entire policy of
Abdullah Khan towards Akbar can be discussed in three
phases.
1. 1572-1577:
The first embassy from Abdullah arrived at Akbar' s court
in 1572.(3) As the letter sent by Abdullah Khan along with
this embassy is not traceable, it is presumed by certain
historians that the proposals contained in this letter were
"directed against Persia". (4) The assumption is purportedly
based on "subsequent developments" and circumstantial evi
dence from Persia itself. Both Islam Verma seem to have
drawn their conclusion from the fact that since the second
embassy sent in 1577 contains proposals for invasion of Persia,
the first one was also presumably despatched for the same
purpose. Explaining the "circumstantial evidence" about the
situation in 1572, Verma informs that Shah Tahmasp was
growing old and that a civil war was imminent in Persia.
According to him, this could give an opportunity to the Uzbeg
sovereign to occupy Khurasan, but since Akbar was not likely
to tolerate it, an envoy was despatched so as to arrive at
some understanding with the Mughal emperor over the question
of partition of Persia between the two rulers. The Soviet
historians Antonova and lliias Nizamuddinov only mention
Badakhshan civil wars as being the main reason for sending
the embassy. lliias, however, refers to the apprehension of
Abdullah about the conquest of Balkh by the Badakhshan
ruler and subsequent declaration of independence by the
Balkh ruler. (5)
While discussing a proposal from the Uzbegs for a holy
war against the Persians, it would be worthwhile to examine
whether Abdullah himself was in a position to initiate a war
against an external power at this time. Soon after acquiring
the de jure rulership of Transoxiana in 1560, Abdullah found
himself confronted with the challenge from a group of hostile
kinsmen who were not prepared to accept his supremacy.
The period of interregnum lasting from 1510 to 1560 had con
siderably undermined the authority of the khaqan. Due to
inter-state feuds and frequent deposition and assassination
of sultans, chaotic conditions were prevailing in the country
at this time. The nobility and the mullas had not only i
ncreased their political power but had also appropriated the
revenues which were even larger than those of the khan
himself. (6) Thus, the financial condition of the state also
required the immediate attention of the ruler. Against this
background, it may be seen that Abdullah could hardly afford
to accept additional responsibilities by involving himself in
external matters. It may also be noted here that while Abul-
Fazl mentioned the proposal for invasion of Persia in connec
tion with a later embassy from Abdullah in 1577, even a
casual reference had not been made by him to any such ABDULLAH KHAN UZBEG AND AKBAR 315
intention behind the embassy of 1572. An important proposal
like this would have provoked an answer from Akbar. More
over, in 1572, Shah Tahmasp was still alive and was ruling
over the country effectively. The internal situation itself was
quite secure at the time, and a threat to the stability of
the Persian empire did not exist after the successful reign
of about seventy-four years under two Persian kings, namely
Shah Ismail (1502-1524) and Shah Tahmasp (152Л-1576). The
civil war started in Persia only in 1575-1576, and there is
no mention of extreme turbulent conditions existing prior to
this date. (7) Besides, the Persians were sufficiently strong in
1572 to repel the attack on Khurasan and Qandahar by Abd
ullah and Akbar respectively. Thus, the embassy of 1572 would
have had nothing to do with the Persian empire. It seems
that probably due to his internal circumstances, Abdullah
had been prompted to send an embassy to Akbar which was
a probing as well as an appeasing mission. This is proved
by the following facts.
Although the Uzbeg sources do not mention anything about
the despatch of an embassy by Abdullah in 1572, Abul-Fazl
offers a fairly clear account of the arrival of this embassy,
which was led by Haji lltamish. According to him, the pur
pose of this embassy was to
"recall ancient relations and to renew friendship in
order that by the help of such divine glory, he might
act vigorously against the princes of Turan. Another
object was that he might repose in peace and be
without apprehension of the strokes of the world con
quering [i.e. Akbar's| armies. For greater security
and success, he sent presents to Munim Khan and
Mirza Koka Khan-i Azam in order that they might exert
themselves to lay the foundation of friendship". (8)
The statement of Abul-Fazl is further corroborated by the
circumstantial evidence. In 1572, Abdullah Khan laid siege
to Balkh which was ruled by one of his cousins, Din Muham
mad. When the other sultans of Transoxiana noticed the
expansionist proclivities of Abdullah, they became suspicious
about his intentions and decided to collaborate with each
other to thwart his designs. Shah Sulaiman of