Ali Quli Khan Zaman
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- Numerous battles against Afghans of East Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Battle of Kara (1567)
Ali Quli Khan Zaman | |
|---|---|
 Submission of Ali Quli Khan and Bahadur Khan. | |
| The governor of Jaunpur. | |
| Monarch | Akbar |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Mughal Empire |
| Commands | Mughal Army |
| Battles/wars |
|
Ali Quli Khan Zaman was a leading Uzbeg noble in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar. Before Akbar, he had also served under Humayun and later commanded the Mughal army to the eastern Uttar Pradesh region in battle against the rebel Afghans. Ali Quli later rebelled, supported by his Uzbeg kinsmen. His rebellion distracted the Mughal Empire for two years until 1567.
Ali Quli Khan had kinship ties with other leading Uzbeg nobles of the Akbar who enjoyed powerful position and prestige during the time of Humayun as well. These included Bahadur Khan, Sikandar Khan, Iskandar Khan and Abdullah Khan. These nobles served the Mughal Empire in their own capacity in various regions. Ali Quli primarily proved himself as a distinguished commander by waging wars against the Afghans of the Jaunpur region. He along with his Kinsmen controlled the regions like Banaras, Awadh and Jaunpur. When Abdullah Khan, the governor of Malwa rebelled and on being pursued by Akbar fled to Gujarat, Akbar developed a prejudice against the Uzbeg nobles.[1]
Akbar was also skeptical of the Khan Zaman's conduct, who fell in love with the son of a Camel rider whom he called "My Padshah" and bowed down to him. Being aware of the Akbar's stand regarding Uzbegs and influenced by the tribal sense of independence that was prevalent in Afghans, Ali Quli decided to declare independence from Mughals. In the meantime he also developed friendship with Afghan ruler of Bengal, Sulaiman Karrani. He recruited an army of 30,000 which contained Hindustanis, Afghans and Uzbegs in a bid to pursue his ambitions.[1]